Discuss the effect of endorphins on the central nervous system (CNS) and in pain relief.

a. pain receptors/ends of sensory neurons send impulses to cerebral cortex creating sensation of pain ✔

b. endorphins interfere with neural transmission between areas of pain perception and CNS ✔

c. endorphins produced/secreted «primarily» by pituitary gland ✔

d. endorphins secreted during times of physical exercise/emotional stress ✔

e. endorphins bind to «opiate» receptors at «pre/post»synaptic membrane ✔

f. prevent neurotransmitters binding to postsynaptic membrane/cell ✔

g. decrease transmission at postsynaptic membrane
OR
are inhibitory neurotransmitters ✔

h. effects have slow onset but last long time «minutes/hours» ✔

i. act as natural painkiller
OR
produce feeling of euphoria ✔

Many had a vague idea about the effect of endorphins and limited their answers to a few memorized elements, not thinking about expanding their answer to their understanding of the nervous system at the cell or synapse level. A few excellent and extensive answers were nevertheless seen.