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.
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.
Endocrine System vs Exocrine System
The 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.
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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.
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.
Comparison Table
| 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.
Endocrine glands are also called “ductless glands”. The word “endo” means “within”, and the word “crisis” means ”to secrete”.
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.
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 glands that constitute exocrine systems are known to deposit all their secretions onto the epithelial surfaces, both external and internal.
The rate of transmission of exocrine gland enzymes or secretions is faster. Exocrine glands have a quick response time because they move through ducts.
Main Differences Between Endocrine System and Exocrine System
- 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.
- https://journals.physiology.org/doi/abs/10.1152/ajpendo.1999.276.2.e223
- https://academic.oup.com/endo/article-abstract/133/5/2371/3035883
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Piyush Yadav has spent the past 25 years working as a physicist in the local community. He is a physicist passionate about making science more accessible to our readers. He holds a BSc in Natural Sciences and Post Graduate Diploma in Environmental Science. You can read more about him on his bio page.
