What is the result of a plant not receiving enough light?

When a plant does not receive adequate light, it undergoes the process known as etiolation. This phenomenon is characterized by notable changes in the plant's growth patterns as it attempts to survive in low-light conditions.

Etiolated plants typically exhibit elongated stems as they stretch towards the light source, pale yellow or white leaves due to reduced chlorophyll production, and a general lack of leaf development. This adaptation is an evolutionary response that allows the plant to optimize its chances of reaching a light source for photosynthesis. The elongation and paleness occur because without sufficient light, the plant does not produce enough chlorophyll, which is crucial for absorbing light during photosynthesis.

While stunting can occur due to a variety of stressors—including nutrient deficiencies or water scarcity—etiolation specifically describes the plant's elongated and pale growth in response to insufficient light. This distinction highlights why a lack of light directly leads to etiolation rather than just general stunting or other growth forms such as overgrowth or lateral growth.