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Difference Between Hormines and Neurotransmitters

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Home » Science » Chemistry » Biochemistry » Difference Between Hormones and Neurotransmitters

Difference Between Hormones and

Neurotransmitters
June 2, 2017 • by Lakna • 6 min read

Main Difference – Hormones vs

Neurotransmitters
Hormones and neurotransmitters are two types of chemical
signaling molecules produced by animals. They are
responsible for the behavior and attitudes of the organism.
Hormones can be either proteins, lipids or cholesterol-based
molecules. Neurotransmitters are proteins. The main
difference between hormones and neurotransmitters is that
hormones are produced in endocrine glands and are
released into the blood stream where they find their targets
of action at some distance from its origin whereas neurotransmitters are released into the synaptic gap by a
terminal of a stimulated presynaptic nerve cell, transmitting a nerve signal to its neighboring postsynaptic
nerve cell.

This article looks at,

1. What are Hormones

– Definition, Characteristics, Function
2. What are Neurotransmitters
– Definition, Characteristics, Classification, Function
3. What is the difference between Hormones and Neurotransmitters

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What are Hormones

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A hormone is a product of living cells, which circulates in fluids like blood or sap, and produces a specific, usually
stimulatory effect on the activity of cells, remote from its point of origin. Therefore, hormones are chemical
messengers that aid the communication between different parts of the body by sending chemical signals from one to
the other. Hormones can be polypeptides, amines, terpenoids, steroids, or phenolic compounds. By the contact of a
hormone, growth, and development of cells and tissues, initiation and maintenance of sexual development, food
metabolism, body temperature, and mood can be affected. Since hormones are extremely powerful molecules, a few
hormones may have a major effect on the body. Hormones are destroyed after their action. Therefore, they are not
reusable. In animals, they are directly released into the bloodstream by endocrine glands and circulate through the
body until the target tissue or organ is found. Some of the endocrine glands found in the body are pituitary gland,
pineal gland, pancreas, liver, thymus, thyroid gland, adrenal gland, ovary, and testis. The hormones which are
synthesized in the endocrine glands on the nervous system are shown in figure 1.

Figure 1: Hormones in the central nervous system

What are Neurotransmitters

Neurotransmitters are chemicals which transmit signals
from a neuron to a target cell across a synapse. Some
neurons produce only one type of a neurotransmitter. The
coexistence of multiple neurotransmitters at the same time
in the synapse allows neurons to exert several influences at
the same time. Neurotransmitters are stored in synaptic
vesicles, which are present at the terminal of the
presynaptic neuron cells. Once the presynaptic neuron is
stimulated by a nerve impulse, neurotransmitters are
released into the synapse from the axon terminal. The
released neurotransmitters diffuse across the synapse and
bind to the specific receptors on the postsynaptic neuron. Generic neurotransmitter system is shown in figure 2.

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Figure 2: Generic neurotransmitter system

Classification of Neurotransmitters
Neurotransmitters are classified based on their function as excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters. Excitatory
neurotransmitters increase the trans-membrane ion flow, allowing postsynaptic neurons to produce an action
potential. In contrast, inhibitory neurotransmitters decrease the trans-membrane ion flow, prohibiting postsynaptic
neurons to produce an action potential. However, the overall effect of excitatory and inhibitory functions determines
whether the postsynaptic neuron “fires” or not. Several classes of neurotransmitters are found: acetylcholine, biogenic
ammines, and amino acids.

Acetylcholine
Acetylcholine is produced from acetyl and choline and acts on the neuromuscular junctions. Acetylcholine-releasing
neurons are also found in central nervous system (CNS). Once released, it binds to the receptor in postsynaptic
neuron, and the degradation of acetylcholine from the receptor needs the enzyme, acetylcholinesterase.

Biogenic Amines
Biogenic amines include catecholamines like dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine (NE) and indoleamines like
serotonin and histamine. Catecholamines and indoleamines occur in the brain, involved in emotional behavior. They
also help in regulating the biological clock. Dopamine, histamine, and NE can be either excitatory or inhibitory based
on the type of receptor.

Amino Acids
Amino acid neurotransmitters include glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Glutamate in the brain
promotes excitatory effects, and GABA has inhibitory effects. Neuropeptides like endorphins and Substance P are
strings of amino acids, which mediate pain signals.

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Difference Between Hormones and Neurotransmitters

Definition
Hormones: Hormones are regulatory substances which are produced in an organism and transported in tissue fluids
like blood or sap, stimulating specific cells or tissues into action.

Neurotransmitters: Neurotransmitters are chemical substances which are released at the end of a nerve cell by the
arrival of nerve impulse, transmitting the impulse into another neuron, muscle or some other structure.

Occurrence
Hormones: Hormones are found in both plants and animals.

Neurotransmitters: Neurotransmitters are found only in animals.

Belongs to
Hormones: Hormones belong to the endocrine system.

Neurotransmitters: Neurotransmitters belong to the nervous system.

Chemistry
Hormones: Hormones are polypeptides, amines, terpenoids, steroids, or phenolic compounds.

Neurotransmitters: Neurotransmitters are proteins, amino acids or gases.

Point of Release
Hormones: Hormones are produced in endocrine glands and are secreted into the blood stream.

Neurotransmitters: Neurotransmitters are released by presynaptic nerve terminal into the synapse.

Transmission
Hormones: Hormones are transmitted through blood.

Neurotransmitters: Neurotransmitters are transmitted across the synaptic cleft.

Point of Action
Hormones: Hormones act on a distant site from where it is produced.

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Neurotransmitters: Neurotransmitters are in direct apposition to their target cells.

Response
Hormones: Hormones take few minutes to few days to make the response.

Neurotransmitters: Neurotransmitters quickly make the response, usually within milliseconds.

Function
Hormones: Hormones have diverse functions in controlling growth, development, and reproduction.

Neurotransmitters: Neurotransmitters are involved in the transmission of nerve signals.

Role
Hormones: Hormones are capable of regulating target organs or tissues.

Neurotransmitters: Neurotransmitters only stimulate the postsynaptic neurons.

Examples
Hormones: Oxytocin, cortisol, testosterone, and estrogen in animals and abscisic acid, cytokines, and gibberellins in
plants are the examples of hormones.

Neurotransmitters: Serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, epinephrine, glutamate, aspartate, glycine, nitrogen oxide,
carbon monoxide are the examples of neurotransmitters.

Conclusion
Hormones and neurotransmitters are two types of chemical signal molecules found in animals. Hormones occur in
plants as well. They belong to the endocrine system. Hormones carry chemical signals to a tissue or organ which is far
away from the site of origin. Therefore, hormones are produced by endocrine glands and are released to blood in
animals and sap in plants in order to be transported to the site of action. Since neurotransmitters belong to the nervous
system, they are only found in animals. Neurotransmitters are produced by presynaptic neurons and are released into
the synapse. They affect target cells which are in direct apposition to the synapse. Therefore, the main difference
between hormones and neurotransmitters is their site of release and site of action.

Reference:
1.Wiley, F. “What Are Hormones?” EverydayHealth.com. N.p., 19 Oct. 2015. Web. 29 May 2017.
<http://www.everydayhealth.com/hormones/guide/>.
2.Mandal, A. “What are Hormones?” News-Medical.net. N.p., 02 Dec. 2013. Web. 29 May 2017. <http://www.news-
medical.net/health/What-are-Hormones.aspx>.

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3.”What are Neurotransmitters?” Neurogistics. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 May 2017. <http://www.neurogistics.com/the-
science/what-are-neurotransmitters>.
4.” Types of Neurotransmitters by Function – Boundless Open Textbook.” Boundless. N.p., 29 Sept. 2016. Web. 29
May 2017. <https://www.boundless.com/physiology/textbooks/boundless-anatomy-and-physiology-
textbook/overview-of-the-nervous-system-11/neurophysiology-113/types-of-neurotransmitters-by-function-619-
3349/>.

Image Courtesy:
1. “Endocrine central nervous en” By LadyofHats – (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Generic Neurotransmitter System” By NIDA(NIH) – (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia

About the Author: Lakna

Lakna, a graduate in Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, is a Molecular Biologist and has a
broad and keen interest in the discovery of nature related things

View all posts

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