BioChemistry HELP! single proton Glycline

[Flygirlkath78]

We have the following question posed, I have been thrown into year two Astro Biology without having done year one, I am at a total and complete loss as to what is being asked here.. Is anyone able to shed light on what is being expected?

 

 

Consider a single proton, currently part of a carbon atom located in an amino acid (let’s say glycine) molecule that is itself part of an enzyme catalysing chemical reactions in a cell somewhere in your body (let’s say the little finger of your left hand).

Give a brief account of the life history of this proton, from its origin to its current location. Some parts of this history can be well-specified, whereas for large tracts of time you will only be able to give a plausible, and schematic, outline of where this proton may have found itself. Try to account for its whole history, giving approximate dates (relative either to its formation or to the present) for the different stages of its existence, specifying the larger structures (molecules, organisms) of which it may have been a part.

[Fuzzwood]

How is carbon formed? How did that eventually end up in your pinky?

[Endy0816]

It wants you to imagine a plausible history based on your general knowledge.

 

ie. Helium fusion - carbon - ending up as some mineral on earth - being incorporated by some microbe - microbe being eaten - ... - production of Glycine

 

Preferably making it as detailed as possible with supporting data.

 

Note: Since it is talking about the proton rather than just the carbon you can go earlier than that as well.