Final answer:
Shade-tolerant plants have a higher SLA, which enables efficient light capture and utilization in low-light conditions. They don't necessarily grow faster or allocate less carbon to leaf tissue compared to shade-intolerant plants and usually do not require higher CO2 intake to balance respiration.
Step-by-step explanation:
Compared with a shade-intolerant plant, a shade-tolerant plant typically has several adaptations that enable it to thrive in low-light conditions. One of the most significant adaptations is an increased Specific Leaf Area (SLA), which refers to the amount of leaf area per unit of biomass. Plants with a higher SLA have thinner leaves, which allows for more efficient light capture per unit of leaf mass when light is scarce.
In contrast to shade-intolerant plants that usually grow faster in full sunlight, shade-tolerant plants have evolved to grow efficiently under a canopy or in environments where light availability is limited. These plants do not necessarily grow faster, but they are better adapted to maximize the limited light they receive. Regarding carbon allocation, shade-tolerant species are typically not characterized by a very low allocation of carbon to leaf tissue; in fact, many allocate a reasonable amount to leaves to maximize light absorption. In terms of CO2 intake, shade-tolerant plants are adapted to use the available light for photosynthesis more efficiently and generally do not require a higher intake of CO2 to balance losses from respiration, as they are adapted to lower rates of both photosynthesis and respiration due to the limited light.