[Darren]

Why the alternating bond configuration of the oxygen atom in between rings of cellulose and chitin different from that of starch? What makes it arrange in this manner?

[Arkcon]

Do cellulose and starch behave differently from one another?  That may explain the different bonding.

[Babcock_Hall]

What do you know about how these molecules are synthesized?  For example, what do you know about glycogen synthase?

[Darren]

I would like to find out why they behave differently from each other, and why they end up forming in that particular arrangement, instead of having the chain of though and reasoning in the other direction. I have googled for the synthesis but have not found any websites on them.

[Arkcon]

Have you tried a basic textbook?  Your question is a fundamental early topic in most biochem curricula.  We do have a rule, on these forums, not to ask us to "tell me everything."  You didn't use those words, but you are asking for a thread by thread posting, of a question that usually fills a textbook chapter.

[Babcock_Hall]

Basically, I agree with Arkcon that an introductory biochemistry or possibly organic chemistry textbook would be a good place to start.  You could also look into the names of the enzymes that make each one, cellulose synthase and glycogen synthase.