Number of peptide linkages in the artificial sweetner ''aspartame'' is

Options

A. 2
B. 21
C. 1
D. 11

Answer

To determine the number of peptide linkages in the artificial sweetener aspartame, we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Identify the Composition of Aspartame**:
- Aspartame is a dipeptide composed of two amino acids: L-aspartic acid and L-phenylalanine.

2. **Understand Peptide Linkages**:
- A peptide linkage (or bond) is formed between the carboxyl group of one amino acid and the amino group of another, resulting in the release of a water molecule (condensation reaction).

3. **Count the Amino Acids in Aspartame**:
- Since aspartame is formed from two amino acids, we can infer that it will have one peptide bond connecting them.

4. **Consider the Structure of Aspartame**:
- Aspartame is a methyl ester of the dipeptide formed from L-aspartic acid and L-phenylalanine. The structure includes two peptide bonds due to the presence of the ester functional group.

5. **Conclusion**:
- Therefore, the total number of peptide linkages in aspartame is **two**.

### Final Answer:
The number of peptide linkages in the artificial sweetener aspartame is **2**.

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