Final answer:
Bacteria can exhibit a virus-like behavior in reproduction by inserting their genetic material into other cells through transduction. They primarily reproduce through binary fission, an asexual reproduction process that results in two identical daughter cells. The correct statement is C. Some bacteria insert their genetic material into other cells.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding Bacterial Reproduction
Bacteria can exhibit a behavior similar to viral reproduction through processes of genetic material transfer, rather than their typical means of reproduction. The correct statement that best describes a way bacteria can behave like viruses in the context of reproduction is: Some bacteria can insert their genetic material into other cells. This process is referred to as transduction, where bacteriophages (viruses that infect bacteria) transfer genetic material from one bacterium to another, somewhat akin to the viral infection process. Bacterial reproduction, however, primarily occurs through binary fission, an asexual reproduction method, where the bacterial cell duplicates its DNA, and the cell elongates, then splits into two identical daughter cells.
It is worth noting that bacteria do not undergo meiosis for sexual reproduction as stated in one of the distractor options. Also, although bacteria can reproduce rapidly through binary fission, they do not require a host cell to do so, another point of divergence from viruses.