The contribution of the different terms of the running-coupling Balistky-Kovchegov (rcBK) equation to the description of inclusive HERA data is discussed. Within this framework an alternative definition of the saturation scale is presented. The defin
ition is based on the ratio of the term corresponding to the recombination of two dipoles to the term corresponding to a dipole splitting. A similar ratio is used to study the contribution of the recombination term to the evolution of inclusive HERA data with rapidity. It is found that, although the data are well described, the behaviour of the different terms of the rcBK equation for HERA kinematics is not what it is naively expected from saturation arguments.
