(ICT) Chapter 6

Vocabulary flashcards covering key computing components, memory types, processor units, and system hardware concepts from Chapter 6.

Motherboard

The main circuit board of the computer that contains integrated circuits and connects system components.

Processor (CPU)

The central processing unit that interprets and carries out the basic instructions that operate a computer.

Multi-core Processor

A single chip that contains two or more separate processor cores.

Control Unit

The component of the processor that directs and coordinates most of the operations in the computer.

Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)

The component of the processor that performs arithmetic, comparison, and other operations.

Machine Cycle

A set of four basic operations—fetching, decoding, executing, and storing—repeated by the processor for every instruction.

System Clock

A small quartz crystal circuit that controls the timing of all computer operations.

Clock Speed

The pace of the system clock, usually measured in gigahertz ($\text{GHz}$).

RAM (Random Access Memory)

Volatile main memory consisting of memory chips that can be read from and written to by the processor.

Flash Memory

A type of nonvolatile memory that can be erased electronically and rewritten.

Access Time

The amount of time it takes the processor to read data, instructions, and information from memory.

Adapter Card

A circuit board that enhances functions of a component of a desktop or server system unit and/or provides connections to peripherals.

USB Adapter

A device that enhances functions of a mobile computer and/or provides connections to peripheral devices.

Bus

An electrical channel that allows the various devices both inside and attached to the system unit to communicate with one another.

Power Supply

A component in the system unit that converts wall outlet AC power into DC power required by the computer.

Heat sink

is a small ceramic or metal component with fins on its surface that absorbs and ­disperses heat produced by electrical components, such as a processor.

Nonvolatile memory

does not lose its contents when power is removed from the computer.