operate on vs operate

operate on and operate both are verbs.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
operate on	No	No	Yes	No
operate	No	No	Yes	No

As verbs, operate on and operate are synonyms defined as:

operate on (verb)	operate (verb)
perform surgery on	perform surgery on
	perform a movement in military or naval tactics in order to secure an advantage in attack or defense
	handle and cause to function
	keep engaged
	perform as expected when applied
	direct or control; projects, businesses, etc.