Computer Science: System Unit Basics

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary feature of how data is organized on optical discs?

Data is arranged in a linear track from edge to center.

Data is organized in a single track spiraling from center to edge. (correct)

Data is segmented by random intervals.

Data is stored in random sections.

What is the main purpose of a tape drive?

To retrieve information from hard disks.

To read and write data on optical discs.

To read and write data on magnetically coated tape. (correct)

To store data in microfilm format.

What functionality does a smart card have that enhances data storage?

It provides a physical medium for storing large tapes.

It encrypts data on a physical magnetic disk.

It utilizes a thin microprocessor embedded in the card. (correct)

It stores data on a large magnetic stripe.

Which of the following describes microfilm and microfiche?

They store microscopic images of documents on film. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of enterprise storage systems?

To manage and store huge volumes of data for large businesses. Signup and view all the answers

How is information recorded on a magnetic stripe card?

With a magnetic stripe that stores information. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes tape as a form of data storage?

It is a magnetically coated ribbon capable of storing large amounts of data. Signup and view all the answers

What role does special hardware play in enterprise storage systems?

It ensures maximum availability and efficiency for heavy use. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the system unit in a computer?

To process data Signup and view all the answers

What does the control unit in the processor do?

Directs and coordinates operations Signup and view all the answers

Which component of the processor performs arithmetic and logical operations?

Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a widely recognized manufacturer of personal computer processors?

Intel Signup and view all the answers

What does pipelining in a processor allow for?

Fetching a new instruction before completing the previous one Signup and view all the answers

Which cooling method can be used to manage heat generated by a processor chip?

Heat sinks Signup and view all the answers

What do eight bits grouped together form?

Byte Signup and view all the answers

What does massively parallel processing involve?

Hundreds or thousands of processors working together Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the system unit contains the main circuit board?

Motherboard Signup and view all the answers

What is the central processing unit (CPU) responsible for?

Interpreting and executing instructions Signup and view all the answers

Which coding scheme is the most widely used to represent data?

ASCII Signup and view all the answers

How is memory size typically measured?

In kilobytes (KB), megabytes (MB), gigabytes (GB), or terabytes (TB) Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of memory cache in a computer system?

It speeds up processes by storing frequently used instructions and data. Signup and view all the answers

What technology allows a computer to automatically configure attached peripherals?

Plug and Play Signup and view all the answers

Which type of memory can be electronically erased and rewritten?

Flash memory Signup and view all the answers

What does the access time refer to in memory?

The time it takes for the processor to read from memory. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a USB hub?

To connect multiple peripherals to a single USB port. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes the function of cloud storage?

It is a service that provides storage over the Internet. Signup and view all the answers

What type of disc is used to store software, data, and music using laser technology?

Optical disc Signup and view all the answers

Which memory technology consumes little power and offers high speeds?

CMOS technology Signup and view all the answers

What component of a computer stores instructions that are waiting to be executed?

Memory Signup and view all the answers

How do hard disks primarily store data?

Via magnetic particles on circular platters Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of a storage device?

To record and retrieve items to and from storage media Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the presence or absence of an electrical charge that represents a single computer character?

Bit Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

System Unit

The system unit is the case that contains the computer's electronic components used to process data.
The motherboard is the main circuit board of the system unit, containing a computer chip with integrated circuits.
The processor, also called the Central Processing Unit (CPU), interprets and carries out basic instructions that operate a computer.
The control unit directs and coordinates most of the computer's operations.
The Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) performs arithmetic, comparison, and other operations.
The processor repeats four basic operations for each instruction. These operations make up a machine cycle.
Pipelining allows the processor to fetch the second instruction before completing the machine cycle for the first instruction.
Intel and AMD are the leading manufacturers of personal computer processor chips.
Processor chips generate heat, requiring cooling solutions like heat sinks and liquid cooling technology.
Parallel processing uses multiple processors simultaneously to execute a single program or task, and massively parallel processing uses hundreds or thousands of processors.

Data Representation

Computer circuits represent 0 or 1 electronically by the presence or absence of an electrical charge.
Eight bits grouped together are called a byte and represent a single character in the computer.
ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange) is the most widely used coding scheme to represent data.

Memory

Memory stores instructions waiting for execution, data needed for those instructions, and the results of processing the data.
Memory consists of data, instructions, and results of processing.
Each location in memory has an address.
Memory size is typically measured in Kilobytes (KB or K), Megabytes (MB), Gigabytes (GB), or terabytes (TB).
The system unit contains two types of memory: RAM (Random Access Memory) and ROM (Read-Only Memory).
RAM is volatile - data is lost when the computer is turned off.
ROM is non-volatile - data is retained even when the computer is turned off.
Memory cache speeds up the computer by storing frequently used instructions and data.
Flash memory can be electronically erased and rewritten.
CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor) technology is used for flash memory, as it's fast and consumes little power.
Access time is the duration it takes the processor to read from memory and is measured in nanoseconds.

Expansion Slots and Adapter Cards

Plug and Play allows the computer to automatically configure adapter cards and peripherals during installation.
Removable flash memory includes memory cards, USB flash drives, and PC Cards/ExpressCard modules.

Ports and Connectors

A USB port allows connecting up to 127 peripherals with a single connector.
Multiple peripherals can be attached to a single USB port using a USB hub.
A Bluetooth wireless port adapter converts a USB port into a Bluetooth port.
IrDA (Infrared Data Association) ports allow communication between devices using infrared light.

Storage

Storage capacity is the number of bytes a storage medium can hold.
A storage device is computer hardware that records and retrieves items to and from storage media.
A hard disk contains one or more inflexible, circular platters that use magnetic particles to store data, instructions, and information.
Hard disks store data using longitudinal or perpendicular recording.
Hard disks can be internal or external.
Flash memory storage devices are solid-state, meaning there are no moving parts.
USB flash drives plug into a USB port on a computer or mobile device.
Cloud storage is an internet service that provides storage to computer users.
Optical discs are flat, round, portable discs made of metal, plastic, and lacquer, written and read by a laser.
Optical discs commonly store items in a single track spiraling from the center to the edge.
Tracks are divided into evenly sized sectors.
Optical discs can be read-only or rewritable.
Tape is a magnetically coated ribbon of plastic capable of storing large amounts of data and information.
A tape drive reads and writes data and information on a tape.
Magnetic stripe cards contain magnetic strips that store information.
Smart cards store data on a thin microprocessor embedded in the card.
Microfilm and microfiche store microscopic images of documents on a roll or sheet film.
Enterprise storage stores huge volumes of data and information for large businesses, using special hardware for heavy use, availability, and efficiency.

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Description

Test your knowledge of the system unit and its components, including the motherboard, CPU, and ALU. This quiz covers the fundamental operations of the processor and various cooling technologies. Dive into the essential parts that make computers function effectively.