Which organism reproduces by spores?

Fungi are well-known for their reproductive strategies that involve spores. Spores are specialized reproductive cells that can develop into a new organism under suitable conditions. This method of reproduction allows fungi to spread and colonize new environments efficiently. Spores can be produced through various processes, including sexual and asexual reproduction, and they are often highly resilient, allowing fungi to survive adverse conditions.

While plants can also reproduce through spores, particularly ferns and mosses, fungi are more classically associated with spore reproduction as a primary means of propagation in both sexual and asexual cycles. Bacteria reproduce primarily through binary fission rather than spores, and viruses require a host to reproduce, using the host's cellular machinery without producing spores. Therefore, the emphasis on the spore-based reproduction clearly identifies fungi as the correct answer.