Anomeric Carbon Distinguishes α- and β-Glucose

Steps:

• Recall α-glucose has OH on carbon 1 below the ring plane in Haworth projection; β-glucose has it above.
• Confirm difference is at anomeric carbon (C1), not C4, which is identical in both.
• Note cellulose forms via β-1,4-glycosidic bonds using only β-glucose monomers.
• Evaluate options: match C1 difference and cellulose's exclusive β-glucose composition.

Why A is correct:

• α- and β-glucose differ in OH orientation at C1 (anomeric carbon per carbohydrate nomenclature); cellulose is a β-glucose polymer only, excluding α-form.

Why the others are wrong:

• B: Incorrectly states difference at C4, though cellulose exclusion is right.
• C: Wrongly places difference at C4 and claims cellulose has both forms.
• D: Identical to C, wrongly placing difference at C4 and claiming both forms in cellulose.

Final answer: A