Cofactor (biochemistry)

Imagine that your body is a big castle with lots of little rooms. Each one of these rooms contains important machines that help your body function properly. These machines are made up of tiny building blocks called molecules.

Sometimes, these machines need a little help to work properly. This is where cofactors come in! Cofactors are like little helpers that work alongside the molecules in the machines to make them work better.

Just like how you might need someone to help you reach something high up on a shelf, the molecules in your body's machines might need cofactors to help them do their job properly. Cofactors can help these molecules by carrying things around or by changing their shape.

There are lots of different types of cofactors that help out different machines in your body. Some, like vitamins, are found in the food you eat. Others, like metals, are already in your body.

So, just remember, when your body's machines need a little extra help, cofactors are there to lend a hand!