Questions about light requirements

In the fall I'm moving into an apartment that has a small area outside where I can finally do some outdoor gardening! Growing plants indoors comes with some challenges.
Anyway, I was doing some research as to what I could plant when I realized that I don't really know what kind of light the area gets. That got me thinking.

So my questions is this: If a plant needs 'partial sun' or 'shade' when it's planted, is that because it has a limit to how much light it needs? Or does it have to do with the infrared portion of sunlight heating the plant up and drying it out? Or something with the UV portion? (I saw one post saying that deciduous plants are effected by UV changes through the seasons?)

I can't seem to find much about this online, but if anyone has any knowledge about indoor vs. outdoor lighting, or the specifics of light requirements that would be really helpful!

my first thought was to reply that the question(s) would be easier to answer if the plant species were known...
but my second thought was that there may be something more to learn beyond specific plant needs

i think i thought i knew why certain plants need anywhere from full sun to full shade, but maybe i dont...

but in specific regards to your new locale, do you know which way the outside area faces (sorry for the obvious question)

Read this. I think it might help you refine the question you want to ask.
http://www.magiminiland.org/OtherArchived/HowTreesAdapt.pdf

Seriously.....it might be the best bonsai information you ever read.

Wander wrote:Read this.  I think it might help you refine the question you want to ask.  
http://www.magiminiland.org/OtherArchived/HowTreesAdapt.pdf

Seriously.....it might be the best bonsai information you ever read.

Awesome! Thanks so much! I'll read through it more this weekend