Synergy refers to when the combined effect of two chemicals is:

Synergy refers to when the combined effect of two chemicals is:

• A. A + B = AB
• B. The combined effect is less than the sum of their parts
• C. The combined effect is greater than the sum of the parts, i.e., A + B < AB.
• D. A and B act independently with no interaction.

Answer: (C)

Synergy is when two chemicals interact to produce a bigger effect than you'd expect from adding their separate effects. If each chemical has its own impact, the combined impact being larger than the sum means the interaction is synergistic. In notation, the combined effect AB is greater than the sum A + B, so A + B < AB. This is why the statement that the combined effect is greater than the sum of the parts, i.e., A + B < AB, best describes synergy. For contrast, if the combined effect equaled the sum, it would be additive; if it were less than the sum, it would be antagonistic; and if they acted independently with no interaction, the result would not show this extra boost.

Synergy is when two chemicals interact to produce a bigger effect than you'd expect from adding their separate effects. If each chemical has its own impact, the combined impact being larger than the sum means the interaction is synergistic. In notation, the combined effect AB is greater than the sum A + B, so A + B < AB.

This is why the statement that the combined effect is greater than the sum of the parts, i.e., A + B < AB, best describes synergy. For contrast, if the combined effect equaled the sum, it would be additive; if it were less than the sum, it would be antagonistic; and if they acted independently with no interaction, the result would not show this extra boost.