What does the genetic code consist of?

The genetic code is fundamentally defined by the sequences of nucleotides in DNA and RNA. These sequences are made up of four nucleotides (adenine, cytosine, guanine, and thymine in DNA; uracil replaces thymine in RNA) which combine in various arrangements to form codons. Each codon consists of three nucleotides and corresponds to a specific amino acid or serves as a stop signal during protein synthesis.

This arrangement of nucleotides directly dictates how proteins are synthesized within the cell. The translation process uses the codons in mRNA, which is transcribed from the DNA template, to assemble amino acids into a polypeptide chain, ultimately folding into functional proteins. Thus, the genetic code translates the information encoded in DNA and RNA into the amino acid sequences that form proteins, which are critical for cellular structure and function.

The other options describe different biological components and processes but do not accurately define the genetic code itself. The sequences of proteins, amino acids, or carbohydrates pertain to different biological functions and structures within cells but do not constitute the genetic code.