cofactor

[ koh-fak-ter ]
/ ˈkoʊˌfæk tər /

noun

Biochemistry. any of various organic or inorganic substances necessary to the function of an enzyme.
Mathematics.
  1. a prefactor or postfactor.
  2. the product of the minor of a given element of a matrix times −1 raised to the power of the sum of the indices of the row and column crossed out in forming the minor.

Origin of cofactor

First recorded in 1935–40; co- + factor

British Dictionary definitions for cofactor

cofactor
/ (ˈkəʊˌfæktə) /

noun

maths a number associated with an element in a square matrix, equal to the determinant of the matrix formed by removing the row and column in which the element appears from the given determinant See minor
biochem a nonprotein substance that forms a complex with certain enzymes and is essential for their activity. It may be a metal ion or a coenzyme

Medical definitions for cofactor

cofactor
[ kōfăk′tər ]

n.

A substance, such as a metallic iron or coenzyme, that must be associated with an enzyme for the substance to function.

Scientific definitions for cofactor

cofactor
[ kōfăk′tər ]

A substance, such as a metallic ion or a coenzyme, that must be associated with an enzyme for the enzyme to function. Cofactors work by changing the shape of an enzyme or by actually participating in the enzymatic reaction.