For homopolysaccharides in which the glycosidic oxygen is equatorial to both sugar rings, computer model building suggests that linkage positions have the following stereochemical and biological significance: 1,4-linkages lead to stiff ribbon-like chains; 1,3-linkages to stiff helices likely to combine in multiply stranded ropes; 1,6-linkages form loosely jointed chains with high flexibility and solubility; 1,2-linkages lead to stiff contorted chains unlikely to form stable tertiary structures.