Viruses replicate by c) using a host’s cell components. Unlike living organisms, viruses lack the necessary machinery to reproduce on their own. They are essentially packets of genetic material (DNA or RNA) enclosed in a protein coat.
When a virus infects a host cell, it injects its genetic material into the cell. The cell’s own machinery is then hijacked to produce viral components. These components are assembled into new virus particles, which can then go on to infect other cells. This mechanism of utilizing the host’s cellular machinery for replication is what distinguishes viruses from other forms of life that can reproduce independently.