why do plants have a large surface area
Making the world better, one answer at a time. Plants get their chemical energy from a process know as photosynthesis. In order for this to work, plants need sunlight (ie they die if left in darkness). To maximize the amount of light they can absorb in their leaves, they must have a big surface area.Notice the sterm is often cylindric in shape, minimalizing the surface area in order to avoid vaporizing of precious water and to avoid falling over in storms.aking the world better, one answer at a time. Plants get their chemical energy from a process know as photosynthesis. In order for this to work, plants need sunlight (ie they die if left in darkness). To maximize the amount of light they can absorb in their leaves, they must have a big surface area.