Final answer:
Organisms require food, proper acidity, time, temperature, oxygen, and moisture (FATTOM) to grow. They also need energy, cellular structure, the ability to respond to the environment and to maintain homeostasis. Essential to these needs is the exchange of matter with the environment.
Step-by-step explanation:
The basic conditions that all organisms require to grow include several factors encapsulated by the acronym FATTOM, which stands for Food, Acidity, Time, Temperature, Oxygen, and Moisture. Beyond these factors, there are more fundamental necessities that underlie an organism's ability to sustain life and carry out essential processes. These include the need for energy to facilitate life processes, cellular composition to maintain structure and function, the ability to respond to their environment, the capability to grow and reproduce, and the necessity to maintain a stable internal environment. For cells and, by extension, organisms to function optimally, they must exist within appropriate conditions concerning temperature, pH levels, and an appropriate concentration of diverse chemicals. Organisms adapt to changes in these conditions to maintain homeostasis. As stated in the College Board AP Biology Curriculum Framework Principle 2.A.3, "Organisms must exchange matter with the environment to grow, reproduce and maintain organization." This exchange is vital for acquiring nutrients, eliminating waste, and allowing gas exchange for respiration.