Introduction - This script compares the structures of maltose, the building block of amylose, and cellobiose, the building block of cellulose. Scroll down until the text corresponding to the view is visible. (Based on structure files from Klotho).

  This is maltose, which contains two alpha-linked glucose residues and is the building block of amylose. Note the non-planar arrangements of the two rings.

This is cellobiose, which contains two beta-linked glucose residues and is the building block of cellulose. Note the planar arrangement of the two rings.