What does the command turnLeft() do in Karel’s environment?

The command turnLeft() in Karel’s environment instructs Karel to turn 90 degrees to the left. When Karel is facing a certain direction, executing this command will change its orientation, allowing it to face a new direction that is perpendicular to its current position. This specific rotation is fundamental for navigating the grid, enabling Karel to adjust its course as it moves around obstacles or adjusts its path toward a goal.

The other options propose different turning mechanisms which do not accurately reflect Karel's behavior with the turnLeft() command. Karel does not turn 180 degrees or rotate in place for a specified duration; instead, it simply modifies its direction by a set angle each time the command is executed. Thus, the functionality of turnLeft() is clearly defined as a leftward turn of 90 degrees, aligning with the mechanics of simple directional navigation in programming environments like Karel's.