Amino acid metabolism covers how the body builds, breaks down, and recycles the building blocks of protein, along with the nitrogen they carry. This course works through the synthesis of each amino acid family – serine, cysteine, aspartate and asparagine, the methionine-threonine-lysine group, the branched-chain amino acids, and the aromatic amino acids including tryptophan and phenylalanine – and the diseases that result when specific enzymes in these pathways are deficient. You'll then cover amino acid catabolism, the central role of glutamate, and the urea cycle, including how nitrogen is safely excreted and what happens when urea cycle enzymes are deficient. The course closes with heme metabolism and iron homeostasis, and bilirubin metabolism, including the enterohepatic circulation that explains jaundice and its causes.

Amino Acid Metabolism

Amino Acid Metabolism
This course is part of Biochemistry for Science & Health Careers Specialization

Instructor: Kevin Ahern, PhD
Included with Learn more
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
1 week to complete
at 10 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
What you'll learn
Describe the synthesis and breakdown pathways of the major amino acid families
Explain nitrogen metabolism and the reactions of the urea cycle
Describe heme synthesis and iron homeostasis
Explain bilirubin metabolism and its relationship to jaundice
Details to know

Shareable certificate
Add to your LinkedIn profile
Recently updated!
September 2026
Assessments
41 assignments
Taught in English
See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

Build your subject-matter expertise
This course is part of the Biochemistry for Science & Health Careers Specialization
When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.
- Learn new concepts from industry experts
- Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
- Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
- Earn a shareable career certificate

There are 5 modules in this course
Earn a career certificate
Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV. Share it on social media and in your performance review.
Instructor

Offered by
Explore more from Basic Science

Lecturio

Lecturio

Lecturio

Lecturio
Why people choose Coursera for their career

Felipe M.
Learner since 2018
"To be able to take courses at my own pace and rhythm has been an amazing experience. I can learn whenever it fits my schedule and mood."

Jennifer J.
Learner since 2020
"I directly applied the concepts and skills I learned from my courses to an exciting new project at work."

Larry W.
Learner since 2021
"When I need courses on topics that my university doesn't offer, Coursera is one of the best places to go."

Chaitanya A.
"Learning isn't just about being better at your job: it's so much more than that. Coursera allows me to learn without limits."
Advance your career with an online degree
Earn a degree from world-class universities - 100% online


