activator

noun

(biology) any agency bringing about activation; a molecule that increases the activity of an enzyme or a protein that increases the production of a gene product in DNA transcription

• Ant: ↑inhibitor

• Derivationally related forms: ↑activate

• Topics: ↑biology, ↑biological science

• Hypernyms: ↑substance

• Hyponyms: ↑activating agent, ↑catalyst, ↑accelerator, ↑sensitizer, ↑sensitiser

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\\ˈaktəˌvād.ə(r)\ noun (-s)

: one that activates: as

a. : a substance that renders another substance active in a specific manner: as

(1) : a chemical (as an ethanolamine) that acts with an accelerator to increase the rate of vulcanization of rubber

(2) : an impurity (as a metal) present in small amounts in a luminescent solid (as a phosphor) to which the luminescence is attributed

(3) : a substance (as a chloride ion) that increases the activity of an enzyme — usually distinguished from coenzyme and kinase

b. embryology : a substance given off by developing tissue that stimulates differentiation of adjacent tissue; also : a structure giving off such a stimulant

c. : accelerator 1b

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/ak"teuh vay'teuhr/, n.

1. a person or thing that activates.

2. Chem., Biochem. a catalyst.

3. any impurity in a mineral that causes luminescence. Cf. inhibitor (def. 3).

4. Orthodontics. a removable appliance, usually of hard plastic, that is worn in the mouth instead of a fixed appliance to help align the teeth and improve the relationship of the lower jaw to the upper.

[ACTIVATE + -OR²]

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acˈtivātor noun

A person or thing, substance, etc that activates

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Main Entry: ↑active