how can a plant grow beyond the tinest sprout in the complete absence of light?
http://www.teachersdomain.org/resource/tdc02.sci.life.colt.plantsgrow/
"During the earliest stages of plant growth, the first root, called the taproot, stretches downward into the soil in search of water and to establish a firm structural foundation for the plant. The root grows both by adding cells and by elongating cells that already exist. Before long, the root forms branches, which improve the plant's support system and its ability to absorb water from the soil.
Not long after the taproot has become established in the soil, the shoot, or stem, of the seedling begins to stretch upward in search of light. The time-lapse video of this reveals the seedlings' need for light: They bend first one way and then the next in what becomes a repetitive waving motion as they follow the sun's movement throughout the day.
So far, all of the energy that the plant requires for growth comes from food stored in the part of the seed called the endosperm. As the stem stretches skyward it carries with it what is left of the food stores in the endosperm. Before long, however, this food will be depleted and the plant will need to create its own food. To do this, the plant must first grow leaves."
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Leaves (or the many pine needles as shown in the picture) can't grow without light.
Yep I'm a killjoy but I'm on topic! 😀