The passage discusses several key aspects of how plants grow through photosynthesis. It explains that photosynthesis is the process where plants use light to form starch, with chlorophyll and chloroplasts playing important roles. Biomass refers to the total mass of living things, and measuring changes in biomass can help monitor environmental changes. Plants take in water and dissolved mineral salts through their roots, and transport them throughout the plant using xylem tubes. Leaves are adapted for photosynthesis, with features like stomata, veins, and different cell layers that help them absorb light and carbon dioxide efficiently.