The number of groups present in a tripeptide Asp - Glu - Lys is ____.
Answer: 5
Solution
Count the carbonyl (>C=O) groups in the tripeptide Asp-Glu-Lys. Joining the three residues takes two peptide bonds, which gives two carbonyls. The C-terminal residue carries a free −COOH, one more. The side chains of aspartic acid and of glutamic acid each carry a −COOH, adding two more, while lysine's side chain has only an amino group and adds none. Altogether there are 2+1+1+1=5 carbonyl groups.