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To work properly, the human body has a sophisticated mechanism that requires an excessive amount of biological activities. Many substances help our biological or physical constitution by facilitating certain functions essential for survival. These “chemicals” include enzymes and hormones. Specific molecular action is required to sustain, control, manage, and direct any biological or physical activity of the organism. Hormones and enzymes perform critical roles in a human’s daily life, from food digestion to deep sleep. We’ll look at the most important biological substances, enzymes, and hormones, using examples. We’ll also learn to tell the difference between hormones and enzymes.
What are Enzymes?
Enzymes are chemicals found in living organisms that serve as catalysts. They aid in controlling the pace of a chemical reaction while remaining unaffected by the process. Enzymes play a crucial part in everybody’s functions. We can’t even imagine surviving without enzymes!
Enzymes are complex nitrogenous organic molecules that are created by living plants and animals. They are generated when amide or peptide bonds connect a long chain of one or more amino acids.
They are high-molecular-mass proteins that catalyse natural processes in the bodies of animals and plants. They are also known as polypeptides. Enzymes are categorised into distinct categories based on their structure and characteristics. Enzymes function in a certain way (Lock-and-Key mechanism and Enzyme Fit Hypothesis).
Examples:
- Lipases: Lipases are a class of enzymes that aid in the digestion of lipids in the intestine.
- Amylase – It aids in the conversion of carbohydrates to sugars. Amylase is a protein present in saliva.
- Maltase – Maltase is a salivary enzyme that converts the sugar maltose to glucose.
- Trypsin – Trypsin is a protein-degrading enzyme found in the small intestine that breaks down proteins into amino acids.
- Lactase – It is Located in the small intestine, this enzyme converts lactose, the sugar present in milk, into glucose and galactose.
Uses of Enzymes
In humans, enzyme deficiency causes a range of diseases, including albinism and phenylketonuria. Enzymes are also used in the fermentation of wine, beer brewing, and cheese curdling. Enzyme use in medicine includes gastric juices, syrups, killing microbiological infections, healing wounds, and a variety of other applications.
Function of Enzymes
- Enzymes helps in the metabolism and breakdown of major food molecules such as protein, carbs, and lipids into little particles that the body may utilise as fuel.
- Enzymes have inorganic and vitamin components that aid in their activity. They work as a prosthetics team. Hormones, on the other hand, do not have such prosthetic groups. Enzyme production is stimulated by the stimulation process.
- Enzymes help to speed up metabolic and physiological processes. They also help with metabolic functions including digestion. Because enzymes’ function is dependent on the presence of a substrate, their primary job is to attack it.
- Enzymes help in digestion and play a role in metabolism.
What is a hormone?
Hormones are organic substances generated in animal bodies that operate as chemical messengers to regulate various activities and behaviour. In 1905, the name “hormone” was derived from the Greek word “hormon,” which means “to move or set in motion.” They are signalling molecules that deliver messages to cells to perform their functions. Hormones are released by Endocrine glands, which are also known as ductless glands since they are secreted directly into the circulation rather than through ducts. The pituitary gland, thymus, pineal gland, thyroid, pancreas, testes, and ovaries are the primary endocrine glands in the body. Even minute amounts of hormones released by these glands can cause profound and obvious changes in the human body.
Examples:
- Insulin: Insulin, a fat-storage hormone, is secreted by your pancreas and controls several metabolic processes.
- Testosterone: It is a type of sex hormone that is produced in both the male testicles and the female ovaries. It is most commonly related to sexual desire, although it is also strongly associated with muscle and bone mass, as well as fat cell distribution.
- Cortisol: The stress hormone is called cortisol. It’s a natural warning system that lets you know when you’re in danger. While high cortisol levels might be beneficial when you need to be alert to impending danger, they can also cause anxiety, weight gain, headaches, heart difficulties, irritability, brain fog, and sleep disruptions.
Uses of Hormone
Hormones are used in the following processes: tissue functioning, digestion, sleep, metabolism, stress indicators, respiration, excretion, reproductive, growth and development, body temperature control, and thirst.
Functions of Hormone
- Hormones are utilised to communicate with one another. To start, the level of hormones released is regulated between two endocrine glands. The role of the endocrine gland is to send a message to a target gland by producing a hormone. The second aspect is the interaction between the endocrine gland and the organs it is expected to affect. The function of the endocrine gland is to release a hormone that communicates with the target organ.
- Because the function is based mostly on positive and negative feedback, the major duty is to attack cells or tissues. They help in the control of morphogenesis, such as sexually dimorphic features.
- Hormones are involved in sexual growth and function, as well as the regulation of heat and energy in the body, the growth and development of organs and tissues, and the internal balance of water and ion concentration.
Difference between Enzymes and Hormones
S.NO | Enzymes | Hormones |
1 | Enzymes are biological catalysts that speed up biochemical reactions without causing them to alter. | Hormones are chemicals that, like steroids (testosterone/estrogen) or peptides (insulin), are created by a component of an organism and transmit messages to other organs or tissues to provoke cellular responses. |
2 | Biological Catalysis | Chemical Messengers |
3 | Macromolecules are usually large in molecule weight. | Hormones have a lower molecular weight |
4 | Performs at their origin, i.e. in the cell. | Performs at a distance, i.e. the target organ is separated from the glands. |
5 | Enzymes are reusable. | Hormones cannot be used again. |
6 | Exocrine glands are responsible for formation. | Formation occurs in the endocrine glands. |
7 | It is determined by the functions performed by the substrate. | It is dependent on both positive and negative feedback from target cells. |
Conclusion
Enzymes are used in the fermentation of wine, beer brewing, and cheese curdling. Enzymes help in the metabolism and breakdown of major food molecules such as protein, carbs, and lipids into little particles that the body may utilise as fuel. Because enzymes’ function is dependent on the presence of a substrate, their primary job is to attack it. Enzymes help in digestion and play a role in metabolism. Testosterone is a type of sex hormone that is produced in both the male testicles and the female ovaries. Hormones are involved in sexual growth and function, as well as the regulation of heat and energy in the body, the growth and development of organs and tissues, and the internal balance of water and ion concentration.
