comp 1

Question 1

What is the CPU?

Answer 1

Central Processing Unit; executes instructions.

Question 2

What does the ALU do?

Answer 2

Carries out arithmetic and logic operations.

Question 3

What is the role of the CU?

Answer 3

Sends signals to other components around the CPU and controls the flow of data

Question 4

What does the Program Counter (PC) hold?

Answer 4

Holds memory address of next instruction.

Question 5

What is the function of the Memory Address Register (MAR)?

Answer 5

Holds address to access.

Question 6

What does the Memory Data Register (MDR) hold?

Answer 6

Holds data being transferred.

Question 7

What is the purpose of the Accumulator (ACC)?

Answer 7

Stores intermediate results.

Question 8

What is the Fetch-Decode-Execute Cycle?

Answer 8

1. Fetch – The CPU fetches the next instruction from memory using the Program Counter (PC) and stores it in the Memory Data Register (MDR).
2. Decode – The instruction is then decoded by the Control Unit to determine what action is needed.
3. Execute – The instruction is carried out, such as performing a calculation or moving data by the ALU then stored in the ACC

Question 9

What factors affect CPU performance?

Answer 9

Clock speed, cache size, number of cores.

Question 10

What are Embedded Systems?

Answer 10

Computers built into other devices (e.g., washing machines).

Question 11

What is RAM?

Answer 11

Volatile memory that stores active data.

Question 12

What is ROM?

Answer 12

Non-volatile; stores bootstrap/start-up instructions.

Question 13

What is Virtual Memory?

Answer 13

Extra memory space from the hard drive used when RAM is full.

Question 14

What is Cache?

Answer 14

Small, fast memory close to CPU; stores frequently used data.

Question 15

What are the types of Secondary Storage?

Answer 15

HDD, SSD, Optical (CD/DVD).

Question 16

What are the characteristics of HDD?

Answer 16

High capacity, cheap, slower, mechanical.

Question 17

What are the characteristics of SSD?

Answer 17

Fast, durable, expensive, no moving parts.

Question 18

What are the characteristics of Optical storage?

Answer 18

Low capacity, not durable, used for media.

Question 19

What criteria should be considered when choosing storage?

Answer 19

Speed, cost, durability, portability, capacity.

Question 20

What is a LAN?

Answer 20

Local Area Network; covers small area (e.g., home, school).

Question 21

What is a WAN?

Answer 21

Wide Area Network; covers large area (e.g., the internet).

Question 22

What is a NIC?

Answer 22

Network Interface Card; hardware that connects a device to a network.

Question 23

What does a Router do?

Answer 23

Directs data between networks.

Question 24

What is the function of a Switch?

Answer 24

Sends data to correct device in a LAN.

Question 25

What is a Protocol?

Answer 25

A set of rules for communication between devices.

Question 26

What does TCP/IP do?

Answer 26

Breaks data into packets and reassembles it.

Question 27

What is HTTP/HTTPS?

Answer 27

Accesses websites (HTTPS is secure).

Question 28

What is FTP?

Answer 28

Transfers files.

Question 29

What is DNS?

Answer 29

Translates domain names to IP addresses.

Question 30

What is The Internet?

Answer 30

A global WAN made up of interconnected networks.

Question 31

What is The Cloud?

Answer 31

Online storage/services accessed via the internet.

Question 32

What are the advantages of The Cloud?

Answer 32

Access data from anywhere, scalable storage, no need for physical backups.

Question 33

What are the disadvantages of The Cloud?

Answer 33

Needs internet connection, security/privacy risks.

Question 34

What are common threats to Network Security?

Answer 34

Malware, Phishing, Brute Force Attack, Denial of Service (DoS), SQL Injection.

Question 35

What are some prevention methods for Network Security?

Answer 35

Strong passwords, Firewalls, Anti-malware, Penetration testing, User access levels, Encryption.

Question 36

What is an Operating System (OS)?

Answer 36

Manages hardware and software.

Question 37

What are the functions of an Operating System?

Answer 37

User interface, Memory management, File management, User and peripheral management.

Question 38

What is Utility Software?

Answer 38

Software that performs maintenance tasks.

Question 39

What does Encryption do?

Answer 39

Scrambles data.

Question 40

What does Compression do?

Answer 40

Reduces file size.

Question 41

What does Defragmentation do?

Answer 41

Reorganises files for efficiency.

Question 42

What are Ethical Issues in technology?

Answer 42

Hacking, privacy, access to technology.

Question 43

What are Environmental Issues related to technology?

Answer 43

E-waste, Energy use.

Question 44

What is the Cultural Impact of technology?

Answer 44

Access inequality, social media effects.

Question 45

What is the Data Protection Act?

Answer 45

Protects personal data.

Question 46

What is the Computer Misuse Act?

Answer 46

Stops hacking, viruses.

Question 47

What is the Copyright, Designs & Patents Act?

Answer 47

Protects creators.

Question 48

What is the Freedom of Information Act?

Answer 48

Right to public data.

Question 49

What is Open Source Software?

Answer 49

Free to use, modify, and share.

Question 50

What is Proprietary Software?

Answer 50

Paid, closed-source, official support.