[mpire344]

Which polypeptide has the greater absorption at 280 nm?

Poly 1: Q L E W T L D G Y
Poly 2: S V W D F G A S T K P L M S I L L K P A M Q N


I'm guessing poly 1 because it has W and Y. Any suggestions?

[renge ishyo]

I believe your answer is correct. Keep in mind that while both W and Y contribute to the absorption at 280nm, W absorbs much more strongly. If you were asked this same question but one compound contained W and Y while the other compound contained W and W, the compound that would show the stronger absorption would be the W and W compound.