Cellulose is a linear polymer of β-(14)-D-glucopyranose units in 4C1 conformation. The fully equatorial conformation of β-linked glucopyranose residues stabilizes the chair structure, minimizing its flexibility (for example, relative to the slightly more flexible α-linked glucopyranose residues in amylose). Cellulose preparations may contain trace amounts (~0.3%) of arabinoxylans.a [Back to Top ]