What term describes a combined effect of exposures that is greater than the sum of the individual effects?

What term describes a combined effect of exposures that is greater than the sum of the individual effects?

• A. Synergy
• B. Antagonism
• C. Additivity
• D. Potentiation

Answer: (A)

When two exposures interact to produce a total effect that’s greater than the sum of their separate effects, that is called synergy. It shows a positive interaction where the combined harm is amplified beyond simple addition. For example, if exposure A causes 2 units of effect and exposure B causes 3 units, additive expectation would be about 5 units; seeing more than 5 units indicates synergy. Antagonism would reduce the combined effect, additivity would match the sum, and potentiation is when one exposure greatly increases the effect of another exposure that alone has little or no effect.

When two exposures interact to produce a total effect that’s greater than the sum of their separate effects, that is called synergy. It shows a positive interaction where the combined harm is amplified beyond simple addition. For example, if exposure A causes 2 units of effect and exposure B causes 3 units, additive expectation would be about 5 units; seeing more than 5 units indicates synergy. Antagonism would reduce the combined effect, additivity would match the sum, and potentiation is when one exposure greatly increases the effect of another exposure that alone has little or no effect.