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Cofactor vs Activator - What's the difference?

cofactor | activator |

As nouns the difference between cofactor and activator

is that cofactor is a contributing factor while activator is one who, or that which, activates.

cofactor

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • a contributing factor
  • (biochemistry) a substance, especially a coenzyme or a metal, that must be present for an enzyme to function
  • (biochemistry) a molecule that binds to and regulates the activity of a protein
  • (mathematics) the result of a number being divided by one of its factors
  • activator

    English

    Alternative forms

    * activater

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • One who, or that which, activates.
  • (biology) Any chemical or agent which regulates one or more genes by increasing the rate of transcription.
  • (biology) A type of effector that increases the rate of enzyme-mediated reactions.
  • A type of dopant used in phosphors and scintillators.
  • (mining) An agent that enables the flotation of a mineral or minerals.