How do viruses reproduce?

Viruses reproduce exclusively within living cells. Unlike bacteria and other microorganisms, viruses lack the cellular machinery necessary for metabolism and reproduction when outside a host. They must enter a living cell and hijack the host's cellular mechanisms to replicate themselves. Once inside a host cell, the virus can release its genetic material, which takes over the cell's functions and leads to the production of new viral particles.

The other options do not accurately reflect how viruses function. They cannot reproduce in non-living environments like soil or water, as they require a living cellular host for the replication process. Unlike organisms that reproduce through binary fission, which is a method of asexual reproduction that involves dividing into two parts, viruses must rely on infecting a host cell to multiply. Thus, the correct understanding of viral reproduction highlights their dependency on living organisms.