The complex of physical and chemical events of photosynthesis, respiration, and the synthesis and degradation of organic compounds. Photosynthesis produces the substrates for respiration and the starting organic compounds used as building blocks for subsequent biosyntheses of nucleic acids, amino acids, and proteins, carbohydrates and organic acids, lipids, and natural products. A plant growth regulator is an organic compound, either natural or synthetic, that modifies or controls one or more specific physiological processes within a plant. If the compound is produced within the plant it is called a plant hormone.