Why plants receiving less light grow smaller leaves? Wouldn’t they need larger leaves to absorb more light?

Question

Why plants receiving less light grow smaller leaves? Wouldn’t they need larger leaves to absorb more light?

In: Biology

Answer 1

In this case, smaller leaves are a survival mechanism. Growing leaves requires energy and supporting them does too. Smaller leaves require less energy to produce and support. Plants lose moisture through transpiration. The larger the leaf, the more moisture it needs to survive. Getting that moisture requires energy… that it doesn’t have due to low light.