What is the kernel of an operating system?

Question $1$ options:

None of the other choices.

It is a low$-$level, core component that handles access to the computer's hardware resources.

It's main purpose is to provide the pseudo$-$random number seeds used by the operating system.

It translates a high$-$level computer language to low$-$evel machine instructions.

All of the other choices $($except "None of the other choices"$)$