Biology
Endogenous
Originating from within an organism or system. The opposite of exogenous (external origin).
Biological Context
Endogenous hormones are produced by the body; endogenous rhythms originate internally. Endogenous retroviruses are viral sequences embedded in our genome over evolutionary time. Understanding whether a factor is endogenous or exogenous helps identify causes and treatments.
Business Application
Endogenous business factors originate within the organization—culture, capabilities, processes. They're more controllable than exogenous factors but can be harder to see clearly.