Computer organization

Question 1

CPU (central processing unit)

Answer 1

The brain of the computer - “the primary component of the computer that executes instructions by processing data and controlling other hardware components

Question 2

ALU (arithmetic logic unit)

Answer 2

The part of the computer that performs arithmetic operations and logical operations

Question 3

CU (control unit)

Answer 3

The component of the CPU that manages and coordinates the activities of the computer by directing the flow of instructions between the CPU and other components

Question 4

Registers

Answer 4

Small, high-speed memory location within
the CPU that temporary stores data and the instructions being processed

Question 5

MAR (memory address register)

Answer 5

One of the registers in the CPU that holds the memory address of the data of information to be fetched from or sent to memory

Question 6

MDR (memory data register)

Answer 6

One of the registers within the CPU that holds the actuald ata being transfered to or from memory

Question 7

Primary memory

Answer 7

Main memory of the computer, directly accessible by the CPU, used to store data and instructions currently in use. It is made up of the RAM and the ROM

Question 8

RAM (random access memory)

Answer 8

Volatile (temporary) primary memory that stores data and instructions that are currently being used by the CPU

Question 9

ROM (read-only memory)

Answer 9

Non-volatile primary memory that stores data and instructions needed for the computer to start up

Question 10

Cache memory

Answer 10

A small, high-speed type of memory located close to the CPU that stores frequently used instructions and data.

Question 11

Effect of cache memory

Answer 11

Cache memory speeds up processing by reducing the time the CPU spends fetching data from slower main memory.

Question 12

Machine instruction cycle

Answer 12

The process the CPU follows to fetch, decode, and execute instructions.

Question 13

Data bus

Answer 13

A set of wires or connections that transfers actual data between the CPU, memory, and other components.

Question 14

Address bus

Answer 14

A set of wires used to specify memory locations (addresses) where data is to be read from or written to.

Question 15

Persistent storage

Answer 15

Storage that keeps data permanently, even when the power is turned off.
🧠 Examples: Hard drives, SSDs, USBs — used for saving files, apps, and system data.

Question 16

Volatile memory

Answer 16

Memory that loses its contents when the power is turned off.
🧠 Example: RAM — it holds data temporarily while programs are running.

Question 17

Non-volatile memory

Answer 17

Memory that retains its data even after the power is turned off.
🧠 Examples: ROM, flash memory — used for firmware or permanent storage.

Question 18

Operating system

Answer 18

The core software that manages the computer’s hardware and allows other software to run.
🧠 It handles tasks like memory, processes, input/output, and file management.
🧠 Example: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android.

Question 19

Single-user operating system

Answer 19

An OS designed to be used by one person at a time, even if multiple accounts exist.
🧠 Only one user can be actively using the system at any given moment.
🧠 Example: A laptop running Windows or macOS.

Question 20

Memory management

Answer 20

A function of the OS that controls and allocates RAM to running programs, tracks memory usage, and ensures no overlap or conflict.
🧠 It helps prevent crashes and keeps programs running efficiently.

Question 21

Application software (range of)

Answer 21

Software designed to perform specific user tasks rather than system-level functions.
🧠 Range includes: word processors, spreadsheets, browsers, media players, databases, games, graphic design tools.

Question 22

Applications

Answer 22

Another word for application software, referring to programs that users interact with directly to complete tasks.
🧠 Examples: Microsoft Word, Google Chrome, Spotify.

Question 23

Bit

Answer 23

The smallest unit of data in computing, representing a single binary digit: 0 or 1

Question 24

Byte

Answer 24

A group of 8 bits, used to store one character or a small number.
🧠 1 byte = 8 bits → e.g. 01010101

Question 25

Binary

Answer 25

A base-2 number system used by computers, using only 0 and 1 to represent all data. 🧠 Example: 1101 = 13 in decimal.

Question 26

Denary

Answer 26

A base-10 number system (0–9) that humans commonly use. 🧠 Example: 27, 102, 5.

Question 27

Hexadecimal

Answer 27

A base-16 number system using 0–9 and A–F, often used in computing to simplify binary. 🧠 Example: FF in hex = 255 in decimal = 11111111 in binary.

Question 28

How data is represented in a computer

Answer 28

All data (numbers, text, images, sound) is stored in binary form as sequences of 0s and 1s. Different types of data use different encoding methods.

Question 29

Strings

Answer 29

A sequence of characters treated as text.

Question 30

Integers

Answer 30

Whole numbers (positive or negative) stored using binary number representations.

Question 31

Characters

Answer 31

Letters, digits, or symbols represented using character encoding standards like ASCII or Unicode. 🧠 Example: The letter A = 65 in ASCII = 01000001 in binary.

Question 32

Colors

Answer 32

Represented using combinations of red, green, and blue (RGB) values, usually stored as hex or binary. 🧠 Example: Pure blue = #0000FF = 00000000 00000000 11111111 in binary.

Question 33

Boolean operators

Answer 33

Boolean logic uses true/false (1/0) values and logical operations to control decision-making in computer systems.

Question 34

AND

Answer 34

Returns 1 only if both inputs are 1

Question 35

OR

Answer 35

Returns 1 if at least one input is 1

Question 36

NOT

Answer 36

Returns the opposite of the input (inverts it)

Question 37

NAND

Answer 37

Returns 0 only if both inputs are 1; otherwise returns 1

Question 38

NOR

Answer 38

Returns 1 only if both inputs are 0; otherwise returns 0

Question 39

XOR

Answer 39

Returns 1 if only one of the inputs is 1

Question 40

Truth tables

Answer 40

A truth table is a chart that shows all possible input combinations for a logic gate or Boolean expression, along with their corresponding output.

Question 41

Logic diagram

Answer 41

A logic diagram is a visual representation of a Boolean expression using symbols for logic gates (AND, OR, NOT, etc.).

Question 42

Identify common features of applications.

Answer 42

Toolbars, menus, dialogue boxes, graphical user interface (GUI) components.

Question 43

Identify two features of a graphical user interface (GUI)

Answer 43

Buttons, search bars, tool bars, icons, windows

Question 44

Fetch

Answer 44

The CPU gets the next instruction from memory. It looks at the memory address stored in the Program Counter (PC), grabs the instruction from that location, and stores it in the Instruction Register (IR). Then the PC is updated so it points to the next instruction for the next cycle. 💡 Think of it like reading the next line in a recipe and bookmarking the next step.

Question 45

Decode

Answer 45

The CPU figures out what the instruction means. The Control Unit (CU) looks at the instruction now stored in the Instruction Register and translates it into a set of steps that the CPU can understand and perform. 💡 Like translating the recipe step “whisk eggs” into the actual actions: get a bowl, crack eggs, use a whisk.

Question 46

Execute

Answer 46

The CPU carries out the instruction. This may involve moving data between parts of the CPU, doing calculations in the Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU), or storing results in registers. If the ALU is used, it may also send feedback (like whether a result is zero or negative) back to the Control Unit. 💡 Like actually whisking the eggs and putting them in the frying pan — you're doing the action from the decoded step.