Final answer:
The functional consequence of the helical structure of amylose is that it helps to compact the linear chain, making it an efficient storage form of glucose.
Step-by-step explanation:
The helical structure of amylose has several functional consequences, one of which is the compacting of its linear chain of glucose molecules. Because amylose is a linear chain of α-D-glucose units joined together by α-1,4-glycosidic bonds, it naturally acquires a helical, or spiral, structure due to hydrogen bonding. This spiral contains about six glucose units per turn, allowing the polysaccharide to be more compact rather than extended. This structure enables amylose to interact with iodine, as iodine molecules can fit within the spiral, leading to the formation of a blue-black complex that is indicative of the presence of starch. The compact helical structure is essential for the storage properties of amylose and distinguishes it from cellulose, which has a more extended structure due to its β-1,4-glycosidic linkages and does not form a helical structure.