Report for Metabolism of amino acids and derivatives D'Eustachio, P, Gopinathrao, G, Jassal, B, Stephan, R. 1 Metabolism of amino acids and derivatives (Pathway) Authors D'Eustachio, P, 2003-11-03 05:38:33. Editors D'Eustachio, P, 0000-00-00 00:00:00. This group of reactions is responsible for: 1) the breakdown of amino acids; 2) the synthesis of urea from ammonia and amino groups generated by amino acid breakdown; 3) the synthesis of the ten amino acids that are not essential components of the human diet; and 4) the synthesis of related nitrogen-containing molecules including carnitine and creatine. Transport of these molecuels across lipid bilayer membranes is annotated separately as part of the module on "transmembrane transport of small molecules".