Hormones are secreted by glands in our bodies, which are split into two types: endocrine and exocrine glands. Hormones are essential for the proper functioning of the body’s many organs and organ systems. They control the activity of cells, organs, and other life-sustaining systems.
Hormones are chemical messengers that assist our bodies in functioning properly. The endocrine system is made up of endocrine glands, while the exocrine system is made up of exocrine glands. Let’s have a look at how the endocrine system is different from the endocrine system.
Endocrine System vs Exocrine System
The main difference between the endocrine system and the exocrine system is that ducts do not exist in the endocrine system’s glands. Hormones are secreted by the endocrine system. However, on the contrary, ducts run through the glands of the exocrine system. Sweat, sebum, enzymes, and mucus are all produced by the exocrine system. The secretions of the endocrine glands are transported at a slower rate. The same happens at a higher pace thee in the use of the exocrine system.
Endocrine glands are the main components of the endocrine system. The glands of the endocrine system directly release their production and secretions into the bloodstream. Because the transit is through blood, the response time of endocrine glands is delayed. The liver, ovaries, pancreas, thyroid gland, testes, thalamus gland, pineal gland, and pituitary gland are examples of endocrine glands.
The basic components of the exocrine system are the exocrine glands. Exocrine gland secretions do not enter the circulation. Exocrine gland enzymes and secretions move at a faster rate. Because the route is through ducts, exocrine glands respond quickly. Mammary glands, salivary glands, and sebaceous glands are just a few examples of exocrine glands.
Comparison Table Between Endocrine System and Exocrine System
| Parameters of Comparison | Endocrine System | Exocrine System |
| Consists of | Endocrine glands. | Exocrine glands. |
| Ducts: Presence/Absence | Possess ducts. | Do not possess ducts. |
| Secretary Products | Hormones. | Enzymes such as sweat, sebum, enzymes and mucus. |
| Pouring into bloodstream | Directly pour into the bloodstream. | Are not poured into the bloodstream. |
| Rate of transportation | Takes place at a slower pace. | Takes place at a faster pace. |
| Response time | The response time is slow. | The response time is fast. |
| Examples | The pineal gland, pituitary gland, liver, ovaries, pancreas, thyroid gland, testes, thalamus gland. | salivary glands, sebaceous glands, Mammary glands. |
What is Endocrine System?
The fundamental components of the endocrine system are the endocrine glands. Ducts do not exist in the endocrine glands. Hormones, for example, are secreted by the endocrine system. The production and secretions of endocrine glands are directly injected into the bloodstream.
Endocrine glands are also called “ductless glands”. The word “endo” means “within”, and the word “crisis” means ”to secrete”. If the secretions of hormones by the endocrine glands are too high, then it causes diseases. However, the same is the case with too low hormones secretion as well. The diseases include hypoglycemia, hypothyroidism and diabetes.
The rate at which endocrine gland secretions are transported is slower. Because the transit is through blood, the response time of endocrine glands is long. The liver, ovaries, pancreas, thyroid gland, testes, thalamus, pineal gland, and pituitary gland are examples of endocrine glands.
What is Exocrine System?
Exocrine glands are the foundation of the exocrine system. Ducts connect the glands in the exocrine system. Sweat, sebum, enzymes, and mucus are all secreted by the exocrine system. The exocrine system glands’ secretions do not enter the circulation.
The glands that constitute exocrine systems are known to deposit all their secretions onto the epithelial surfaces, both external and internal. These epithelial surfaces lines the blood vessels surface, organs and cavities throughout the body. Disorders caused by the exocrine system include gigantism, dwarfism, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, etc.
The rate of transmission of exocrine gland enzymes or secretions is faster. Exocrine glands have a quick response time because they move through ducts. Mammary glands, salivary glands, and sebaceous glands are examples of exocrine glands.
Main Differences Between Endocrine System and Exocrine System
- The endocrine system primarily consists of Endocrine glands. On the other hand, the Exocrine system primarily consists of exocrine glands.
- The glands present in the endocrine system do not possess ducts. On the other hand, the glands present in the exocrine system have ducts.
- Endocrine system secrets products such as hormones. On the other hand, the exocrine system secrets enzymes such as sweat, sebum, enzymes and mucus.
- Endocrine system glands directly pour their production and secretions into the bloodstream. On the other hand, the secretions of exocrine system glands are not poured into the bloodstream.
- The rate of transportation of the secretions of the endocrine glands takes place at a slower pace. On the other hand, the rate of transportation of the enzymes or secretions of exocrine glands takes place at a faster pace.
- The response time of endocrine glands is slow, as the passage is through blood. On the other hand, the response time of exocrine glands is fast, as the passage is through ducts.
- Examples of endocrine glands are the liver, ovaries, pancreas, thyroid gland, testes, thalamus gland, pineal gland, pituitary gland. On the other hand, examples of exocrine glands include mammary glands, salivary glands, sebaceous glands.
Conclusion
Hormones are essential for the proper functioning of the body’s organs and systems. They control the functions of cells and organs, as well as other vital life processes. Hormones are chemical messengers that aid in the proper functioning of our bodies. Hormones are secreted by glands in our bodies, which are classified as either endocrine or exocrine. The endocrine system is made up of endocrine glands, while the exocrine system is made up of exocrine glands.
Endocrine glands have a direct relation with the bloodstream, the secretions are poured into it, and hence, it takes time to reach the target site. On the contrary, the enzymes produced by exocrine glands reach the target site much faster in comparison to the endocrine system because at the exocrine system passage is through ducts present.
References
- https://journals.physiology.org/doi/abs/10.1152/ajpendo.1999.276.2.e223
- https://academic.oup.com/endo/article-abstract/133/5/2371/3035883