The phenomenon of synergy is employed in Evolutionary Biology in an attempt to explain the progressive evolution of complexity among organisms through time. The host that harbors pathogenic bacteria or viruses may or may not show symptoms of the infection as the impact of the presence of the pathogens will depend on the pathogens’ size or population density. The impact, therefore, correlates with density. So for instance, the presence of two different kinds of parasitic worms would produce synergistic adverse effects that are far greater than the effects produced by each. The presence of two or more kinds of parasites within the host exemplifies pest synergy. Myxococcus xanthus – synergy by cooperation. Through colonies, they are able to feed even a much larger prey and jointly secrete digestive enzymes much more than that produced singly, which has the disadvantage of getting dissipated through the soil. They secrete digestive enzymes as they encounter and feed on bacteria. Together, they form a cooperative hunting group (colony) through the soil. xanthus is a soil bacterium that prey on other bacteria. 2)Ĭooperation that leads to synergism is also exhibited by the colony of predatory myxobacterial species, Myxococus xanthus. Autothysis is also seen in certain species of termites wherein soldier termites will rupture their body to act as a blockade to tunnels, thereby preventing invaders from entering their nest. This suicidal act is an effort to defend their nest. These ants will explode (thus, the name) their body at will while wrapped around to their enemy. Colobopsis explodens, for instance, display an interesting behavior referred to as autothysis. They communicate with each other chiefly through chemical signals picked up by their antennae. These social insects have distinctive roles and castes in their colony. An example of this would be ant and bee colonies. Synergy in EcologyĬooperation, a type of symbiosis, is an ecological synergy in a way that individuals in the association work together to bring about positive effects. So let’s take a look at synergy in these various fields. Or, it may be a form of epistasis, genetically-speaking. In the biochemical world, synergy is manifested in the form of the combined effects of substances, such as drugs. It may also be implied as coevolution in evolutionary biology. For instance, in ecology, it can take the form of symbiosis, e.g. In biology, synergy is a common phenomenon. The term, basically, is associated with the notion that “the whole is greater than the sum of its parts”. It refers to the condition wherein a set of drugs produce synergistic effects, thereby, enhancing their efficacy. The extent of the impact is so great that it cannot be reproduced singly. Synergy refers to the interaction of biological structures or entities so that the overall impact will be greater than the sum of individual effects. They work to stop the growth of cancer cells by targeting different parts of the replication process. Patients with cancers are quite frequently put on both chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
The toxicity of some insecticides notably pyrethrin (from chrysanthemums) and synthetic pyrethrins (pyrethroids) can be increased many times by the addition of compounds that themselves are not insecticides.Barbiturate drugs when taken with general anesthetics, alcohol (acute consumption) narcotic analgesic (pain reliever), and other sedative-hypnotic drugs can lead to greater adverse effects on the central nervous system (CNS) (by causing CNS depression).
When administered together, they produce more considerable liver injury than the entirety of their individual impacts on the liver.
“Baking soda volcano”‘ activity in science class is another example.
Skin harm caused by both tobacco smoke and UV radiation is more prominent than by tobacco smoke alone or by UV radiation alone.