Final answer:
The genetic code (option b) is the set of rules by which information encoded in genetic material (DNA or mRNA sequences) is translated into proteins by living cells. This code determines the order of amino acids in a protein based on the sequence of codons in mRNA.
Step-by-step explanation:
The relationship between the nucleic acid sequence over a stretch of DNA and the order of amino acids in the resulting protein is referred to as the genetic code. During transcription, messenger RNA (mRNA) is synthesized from the DNA template, which then serves as a guide for the assembly of amino acids into proteins during the process called translation. The sequence of nucleotides in mRNA is organized into triplet codons, each of which specifies a particular amino acid. With 64 possible codon combinations but only 20 common amino acids plus stop signals, the genetic code is degenerate, meaning multiple codons can code for the same amino acid. This universality across species highlights the fundamental role of the genetic code in molecular biology.