Final answer:
The correct answer is option b. Viruses have the ability to reproduce using DNA or RNA and to evolve, but they lack other characteristics of living organisms such as being composed of cells, having metabolism, and maintaining homeostasis.
Step-by-step explanation:
The characteristics of living organisms that viruses possess include: they reproduce using DNA (or RNA) and they can evolve as groups. Viruses are not considered living organisms because they are acellular, meaning they are not composed of cells. Furthermore, viruses do not maintain a constant internal environment, do not obtain energy from their environment, and do not have the cellular machinery for metabolism or growth.
They can only reproduce by using the cellular machinery of a host. Hence, the only characteristic from the options provided that applies to viruses would be 'b. reproduce using DNA (or RNA); sense their environment and respond to it; can evolve as groups', although it should be noted that viruses do not truly sense their environment in the same way that living organisms do.