Endogenous and exogenous substances from "summary" of General Pharmacology by Alfred J. Clark
Endogenous substances are those that occur naturally in the body, while exogenous substances are those that come from outside the body. They can both have a major impact on how the body works, either positively or negatively.- Endogenous substances are the ones that naturally occur inside the body and contribute to its functioning, such as hormones, enzymes, and amino acids. Exogenous substances, on the other hand, come from outside sources and act upon their environment - like drugs or food additives.
- Endogenous substances play an important role in maintaining homeostasis in an organism. For example, hormones control the body's metabolic activity and regulate the immune system. On the other hand, exogenous substances do not necessarily have a specific function and depend predominantly on the individual they are interacting with.
- Endogenous substances can be either beneficial or harmful depending on the situation. For instance, hormones can help to maintain a healthy balance of bodily functions or may cause unwanted side effects if imbalanced. Similarly, exogenous substances can improve health when taken responsibly, but may lead to poisoning if misused.
- The effects of endogenously produced substances can also be influenced by exogenous factors, such as environmental pollution or usage of certain drugs. The interactions between endogenous and exogenous substances can lead to maladaptation of the body’s systems and ultimately result in disease.
- Understanding the relationship between internal and external factors is essential for making informed decisions about healthcare. Knowing which substances the body produces and how these interact with agents coming from outside is an integral part of staying healthy.
