Difference Between Exocytosis And Endocytosis

Cell consists of four types of transportation mechanism – Diffusion, active transport, osmosis and bulk transport. The two types of bulk transportation mechanism are known as Exocytosis and Endocytosis. They transport big particles through the plasma membrane from the cell. Exocytosis is the process in which cell transports unwanted materials from the cell while Endocytosis is the transportation of large particles which cannot enter the cell through the non-polar membrane. Endocytosis involves in taking nutrients into the cell whereas exocytosis involves in removing waste from the cell.

What is Exocytosis ?

The process in which cell transports unwanted materials from the cell is known as exocytosis. The materials which are transported in this process are waste materials like undigested remains, materials needing to produce the cell wall. This type of material are packed into a vesicle and they are directed to the plasma membrane. When these vesicle came in touch with the plasma membrane they releases those waste in the external environment. They also transport the protein and polysaccharides into the cell. Exocytosis is used by plants to release nectar to attract pollinators. 

What is Endocytosis ?

Endocytosis is the process in which the material have to enter the cell which is surrounded by an area of plasma membrane. It is the transportation of macromolecules, polar substances and large particles substances into the cell from the external environment and they cannot enter the cell through non-polar membrane. There are four different types of endocytosis. It occurs in immune responses in neural function, signal transduction and in pathological conditions. They can either receptor-mediated or non-receptor-mediated.

Similarities Between Exocytosis and Endocytosis  

• Exocytosis and Endocytosis facilitate the transportation of macromolecules which are unable to pass through the cell membrane.
• They both are forms of active transport.

Difference Between Exocytosis and Endocytosis

Exocytosis	Endocytosis
Definition
Exocytosis is defined as the process in which cell transports unwanted materials from the cell.	Endocytosis is defined as the transportation of large particles which cannot enter the cell through the non-polar membrane.
Occurrence
It occurs due to the regulated secretory pathways.	It occurs due to pinocytosis and phagocytosis.
Process of Transportation
Exocytosis involves the process of transportation of molecules from the cell to the outside of the cell.	Endocytosis involves the process of transportation of macromolecules into the cell from the external environment.
Cell Formation
Exocytosis involves in the cell formation.	Endocytosis are not involved in cell formation.
Nutrients
They involved in removing wastes from the cell.	They involved in taking up nutrients into the cell.
Vesicle Fate
At the end the vesicle are connected with the cell membrane.	At the end the vesicle fuses with the membrane bound organelles.

Conclusion

Therefore, Endocytosis and exocytosis are two types of bulk transportation mechanisms. Exocytosis is the process in which cell transports unwanted materials from the cell while Endocytosis is the transportation of large particles which cannot enter the cell through the non-polar membrane. Exocytosis and Endocytosis facilitate the transportation of macromolecules which are unable to pass through the cell membrane. They both are the forms of active transport. Exocytosis involves in the cell formation whereas endocytosis are not involved in cell formation.

FAQs on Exocytosis and Endocytosis

Q1. Define Endocytosis?

Answer:

Endocytosis refers to the transportation of macromolecules, polar substances and large particles substances into the cell from the outer environment and they cannot enter the cell through non-polar membrane.

Q2. Define Exocytosis?

Answer:

Exocytosis refers to the process in which cell transports unwanted materials from the cell. They involves in the process of cell formation. They also transport the protein and polysaccharides into the cell. Exocytosis is used by plants to release nectar to attract pollinators. 

Q3. State the Vesicle in the Exocytosis and Endocytosis.

Answer:

In Exocytosis at the end the vesicle are connected with the cell membrane whereas in Endocytosis at the end the vesicle fuses with the membrane bound organelles.

Q4. Write about some similarities between Exocytosis and Endocytosis.

Answer:

Some similarities between Exocytosis and Endocytosis are:

• They both facilitate the transportation of macromolecules which are unable to pass through the cell membrane.
• They both are forms of active transport.

Q5. Write about the occurrence of Exocytosis and Endocytosis.

Answer:

Exocytosis occurs due to the regulated secretory pathways whereas Endocytosis occurs due to pinocytosis and phagocytosis.