Growth regulators affect which aspects of plants or animals?

Growth regulators are substances that influence the growth and development of plants and animals in a variety of ways. They can alter processes such as cell division, elongation, differentiation, and overall growth patterns, which are critical in various agricultural practices.

For plants, growth regulators can promote or inhibit specific growth responses, such as flowering, fruiting, and root development, allowing for better management of crops. In animals, growth regulators can influence maturation rates and reproductive cycles. By affecting these developmental aspects, growth regulators play a crucial role in optimizing production and improving the quality of agricultural products.

The other options relate to different aspects of agricultural management or biology and do not accurately represent the primary functions of growth regulators. Pest resistance concerns the ability of plants or animals to withstand pest pressure, moisture levels deal with water availability and retention, and microbial control pertains to the management of microorganisms. While these areas may be influenced indirectly by growth regulators, they do not directly define the primary function of these substances as impacting growth or development.