Endogenous processes refer to those which are generated internally, originating from within the organism or system in question. This term is used to differentiate between processes that are a product of an organism’s own physiology and those that are a result of external stimuli. Endogenous processes can be further broken down into autogenous processes, which are self-generated and self-sustaining, and endogenously induced processes, which are caused by an internal stimulus (Bailey, 2016).
Endogenous processes are responsible for a wide variety of physiological and biochemical processes. For example, they are involved in the growth and development of organisms, the regulation of hormones, the control of metabolic processes, and the regulation of the nervous system (Bailey, 2016). Endogenous processes have also been implicated in the formation of memories and learning (Kandel, 2017).
Endogenous processes are also involved in the pathogenesis of many diseases. For example, the development of cancer is thought to be partially due to an accumulation of mutations in the DNA caused by endogenous processes (Kandel, 2017). Additionally, the progression of autoimmune diseases is thought to be a result of various endogenous processes, including the production of antibodies and other inflammatory mediators (Starr, 2015).
In summary, endogenous processes are those processes that are generated internally, originating from within the organism or system in question. They are involved in a variety of physiological and biochemical processes, as well as the pathogenesis of many diseases.
References
Bailey, M. (2016). Endogenous Processes. In Encyclopedia of Animal Behavior (pp. 517–521). Elsevier.
Kandel, E. R. (2017). Principles of Neural Science (5th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education/Medical.
Starr, C. (2015). Biology (6th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.