Weekend Revision (Chapter 1 - Paper 1)

Question 1

What is the Arithmetic Logic Unit?

Answer 1

ALU, performs arithmetic calculations and makes logical decisions (AND/OR/NOT)

Question 2

What does the Control Unit?

Answer 2

Sends signals to control how data moves around the CPU.

Question 3

What does Cache do?

Answer 3

Provides fast access to frequently used instructions and data.

Question 4

What are registers?

Answer 4

Tiny, super-fast pieces of onboard memory inside the CPU, each with a specific purpose.

Question 5

What are the four registers?

Answer 5

Accumulator
Memory Address Register
Program Counter
Memory Data Register

Question 6

What happens in the ‘Fetch’ stage?

Answer 6

Program counter checked for the memory address of the next instruction

MAR fetches instruction from RAM and brings it to MDR

Question 7

What is the ‘decode’ stage?

Answer 7

Control Unit decodes to figure out what the CPU needs to do.

Question 8

What is the ‘execute’ stage?

Answer 8

Carrying out machine code instruction.

Question 9

Properties of embedded systems?

Answer 9

Low Power consumption
Small size
rugged operating systems
low cost per unit

Question 10

What are the different types of Primary storage?

Answer 10

RAM, ROM, Registers and Cache.

Question 11

What is the function of secondary storage?

Answer 11

Holds operating system, programs and data when they are not in use.

Question 12

What is tertiary storage used for?

Answer 12

Used to back up and archiving large amounts of data.

Question 13

What are some characteristics of primary storage?

Answer 13

Mainly volatile

relatively small capacity compared to secondary

Question 14

What are some characteristics of secondary storage.

Answer 14

Non volatile

High capacity

Question 15

What is ROM?

Answer 15

Small piece of read only memory located on the motherboard.
Non-Volatile
Holds startup instructions for computer.

Question 16

What is RAM?

Answer 16

Temporary storage of instructions and data,
Holds data currently being used by the processor.
Volatile
Much faster to read from than the hard drive.

Question 17

When is virtual memory used?

Answer 17

When RAM is filled up.

Question 18

Why is virtual memory slower than RAM?

Answer 18

Needs to be fetched from RAM when user wants to put the program into use.

Question 19

Why is secondary storage required?

Answer 19

ROM is read only and RAM is volatile.

Question 20

What is secondary storage used for?

Answer 20

Storage of programs and data when the computer is powered off.
Backing up or archiving data.

Question 21

What are the positives of Optical storage?

Answer 21

Cheap, Lightweight, Portable

Question 22

What are the negatives of optical storage?

Answer 22

Very slow, prone to scratches.

Question 23

What are the positives of magnetic storage?

Answer 23

Cheap, Large capacity

Question 24

What are the negatives of magnetic storage?

Answer 24

Slow access times.

Fragile

Question 25

What are the positives of solid state?

Answer 25

Durable

Fast access times

Question 26

What are the negatives of solid state?

Answer 26

Cost

Limited lifespan

Question 27

What should you mention when asked to recommend a storage type?

Answer 27

Capacity
Speed
Portability
Durability
Reliability
Cost

Question 28

What should you mention when asked to recommend a storage type?

Answer 28

Capacity
Speed
Portability
Durability
Reliability
Cost