Synergism

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Synergism, in general, may be defined as two or more agents working together to produce a result not obtainable by any of the agents independently. The word synergy or synergism comes from two Greek words: erg meaning "to work", and syn meaning "together"; hence, synergism is a "working together."

Synergism allows microbial population to perform metabolic activities such as- synthesis of product which neither population could perform alone.Synergism represents an association between two microbial population in which both are benefitted from each other. Following are examples: 1.The DESULFOVIBRIO bacteria supply H2S and CO2 to CHLOROBIUM bacteria and in turn the CHLORPBIUM bacteria make sulphate SO4- and organic material available to DESULPHOVIBRIO. 2. NOCARDIA population metabolise cyclohexane resulting in degradation product that are used by PSEUDOMONAS population. This species produce BIOTIN and growth factors which are required for growth og NOCARDIA.