The Components of the System Unit

Terms Definitions

system unit a case that contains electronic components of the

computer used to process data

motherboard the main circuit board of the system unit

computer chip a small piece of semiconducting material, usually silicon,

on which integrated circuits are etched

processor interprets and carries out the basic instructions that

operate a computer

multi-core processor a single chip with 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 performs arithmetic, comparison, and other operations

(ALU)

system clock small quartz crystal circuit that controls the timing of all
computer operations

clock speed the pace of the system clock that is measured by the
number of ticks per second

bit (binary digit) the smallest unit of data the computer can process

byte when 8 bits are grouped together as a unit

kilobyte (KB) is equal to approximately one thousand bytes

megabyte (MB) is equal to approximately one million bytes

gigabyte (GB) is equal to approximately one billion bytes

terabyte (TB) is equal to approximately one trillion bytes

RAM (random access memory chips that can be read from and written to by
memory) the processor and other devices; is also called main
memory

memory module a small circuit board that RAM chips usually reside
on

memory slots holds memory modules

memory cache helps speed the processes of the computer because it
stores frequently used instructions and data

Read-only memory memory chips storing permanent data and instructions

(ROM) firmware, contain permanently written data, instructions,
or information

flash memory a type of nonvolatile memory that can be erased

electronically and rewritten

complementary technology used by some RAM chips, flash memory

metal-oxide chips, and other types of memory chips that provides
semiconductor high speeds and consumes little power by using battery
(CMOS) power to retain information even when the power to a
computer is off

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

nanosecond one billionth of a second

expansion slot a socket on the motherboard that can hold an adapter

card

adapter card a circuit board that enhances functions of a component

of the system unit and/or provides connections to
peripherals

peripheral a device that connects to the system unit and is

controlled by the processor in the computer

sound card enhances the sound-generating capabilities of a

personal computer by allowing sound to be input
through a microphone and output through external
speakers or headphones

video card converts computer output into a video signal that travels
through a cable to the monitor, which displays an image
on the screen

Plug and Play technology that gives a computer the capability to

configure adapter cards and other peripherals
automatically as a user installs them

memory card a removable flash memory device that you insert and
remove from a slot in a personal computer, game
console, mobile device, or card reader/writer

PC Card slot a special type of expansion slot that holds a PC Card

ExpressCard slot a special type of expansion slot that holds an

ExpressCard module

PC Card a thin, credit card-sized removable flash memory device

 that primarily is used today to enable traditional
notebook computers and Tablet PCs to access the
Internet wirelessly

ExpressCard module can be used as a removable flash memory device, adds

memory, communications, multimedia, and security
capabilities to computers

port the point at which a peripheral attaches to or

communicates with a system unit so that the peripheral
can send data to or receive information from the
computer

jack used to identify audio and video ports

connector joins a cable to a port

USB port port that can connect up to 127 different peripherals

with a single connector type

USB hub a device that plugs in a USB port on the system unit and
contains multiple USB ports in which you plug cables
from USB devices

FireWire port port that can connect multiple types of devices that
require faster data transmission speeds

FireWire hub a device that plugs in a FireWire port on the system unit
and contains multiple FireWire ports in which you plug
cables from FireWire devices

bluetooth technology uses radio waves to transmit data between

two devices

SCSI port special high-speed parallel port to which peripherals can

be attached

eSATA port allows you to connect an external SATA (Serial Advanced

Technology Attachment) hard disk to a computer

IrDA port Port that uses infrared light waves to transmit signals
between a wireless device and a computer

serial port a type of interface that connects a device to the system

unit by transmitting data one bit at a time

MIDI port a special type of serial port that connects the system
unit to a musical instrument

bus allows the various devices both inside and attached to

the system unit to communicate with each other

word size the number of bits the processor can interpret and
execute at a given time
bay an opening inside the system unit in which you can
install additional equipment

drive bay a rectangular opening that typically holds disk drives

power supply the component of the system unit that converts the wall
outlet AC power into DC power

AC adapter External power supply that converts AC power into DC

power that the peripheral requires

machine cycle the processes of fetching, decoding, executing, and

storing

L1 cache type of cache that is built directly into the processor

chip and has a very small capacity

memory electronic components in a computer that store

instructions waiting to be executed by the processor, the
data needed by those instructions, and the results of
processing the data

microprocessor term used by some computer and chip manufacturers to

refer to a processor chip for a personal computer
Multiple Choice Questions
1. a special type of expansion slot that holds an ExpressCard module

a. ExpressCard slot

b. PC Card slot

c. expansion slot

d. ExpressCard module
2. a special type of serial port that connects the system unit to a musical instrument

a. MIDI port

b. SCSI port

c. IrDA port

d. serial port
3. a socket on the motherboard that can hold an adapter card

a. expansion slot

b. ExpressCard slot

c. PC Card slot

d. eSATA port
4. a device that plugs in a FireWire port on the system unit and contains multiple FireWire ports in which you
plug cables from FireWire devices

a. gigabyte (GB)

b. drive bay

c. FireWire port

d. FireWire hub
5. allows you to connect an external SATA (Serial Advanced Technology Attachment) hard disk to a computer

a. IrDA port

b. USB port

c. eSATA port

d. SCSI port
6. the point at which a peripheral attaches to or communicates with a system unit so that the peripheral can
send data to or receive information from the computer

a. port

b. byte

c. jack

d. bus
7. an opening inside the system unit in which you can install additional equipment

a. bus

b. jack

c. byte

d. bay
8. a removable flash memory device that you insert and remove from a slot in a personal computer, game
console, mobile device, or card reader/writer

a. memory slots

b. memory

c. memory card

d. memory cache
9. the processes of fetching, decoding, executing, and storing

a. machine cycle

b. memory cache

c. L1 cache

d. connector
10. one billionth of a second

a. nanosecond

b. connector

c. memory

d. processor
11. converts computer output into a video signal that travels through a cable to the monitor, which displays
an image on the screen

a. MIDI port

b. sound card

c. PC Card

d. video card
12. a case that contains electronic components of the computer used to process data

a. serial port

b. control unit

c. eSATA port

d. system unit
13. the component of the processor that directs and coordinates most of the operations in the computer

a. system unit

b. control unit

c. serial port

d. word size
14. the number of bits the processor can interpret and execute at a given time

a. word size

b. sound card

c. port

d. clock speed
15. enhances the sound-generating capabilities of a personal computer by allowing sound to be input
through a microphone and output through external speakers or headphones

a. video card

b. memory card

c. PC Card

d. sound card
16. technology uses radio waves to transmit data between two devices

a. USB port

b. bluetooth

c. byte

d. port
17. when 8 bits are grouped together as a unit

a. jack
 b. byte

c. port

d. bus
18. technology used by some RAM chips, flash memory chips, and other types of memory chips that provides
high speeds and consumes little power by using battery power to retain information even when the power
to a computer is off

a. complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS)

b. arithmetic logic unit (ALU)

c. Read-only memory (ROM)

d. memory module
19. performs arithmetic, comparison, and other operations

a. arithmetic logic unit (ALU)

b. megabyte (MB)

c. kilobyte (KB)

d. system unit
20. joins a cable to a port

a. sound card

b. nanosecond

c. processor

d. connector
21. holds memory modules

a. memory slots

b. memory module

c. memory

d. memory card
22. Port that uses infrared light waves to transmit signals between a wireless device and a computer

a. IrDA port

b. USB port

c. serial port

d. MIDI port
23. is equal to approximately one billion bytes

a. kilobyte (KB)

b. terabyte (TB)

c. gigabyte (GB)

d. megabyte (MB)
24. electronic components in a computer that store instructions waiting to be executed by the processor, the
data needed by those instructions, and the results of processing the data

a. memory card

b. PC Card

c. memory

d. port
25. technology that gives a computer the capability to configure adapter cards and other peripherals
automatically as a user installs them

a. AC adapter

b. PC Card slot
 c. Plug and Play

d. USB port
26. helps speed the processes of the computer because it stores frequently used instructions and data

a. memory cache

b. memory card

c. memory slots

d. L1 cache
27. the main circuit board of the system unit

a. motherboard

b. connector

c. memory

d. adapter card
28. the smallest unit of data the computer can process

a. PC Card slot

b. bit (binary digit)

c. FireWire port

d. gigabyte (GB)
29. type of cache that is built directly into the processor chip and has a very small capacity

a. jack

b. PC Card

c. L1 cache

d. byte
30. is equal to approximately one thousand bytes

a. megabyte (MB)

b. kilobyte (KB)

c. gigabyte (GB)

d. byte
31. can be used as a removable flash memory device, adds memory, communications, multimedia, and
security capabilities to computers

a. memory module

b. video card

c. ExpressCard slot

d. ExpressCard module
32. is equal to approximately one trillion bytes

a. kilobyte (KB)

b. gigabyte (GB)

c. FireWire hub

d. terabyte (TB)
33. special high-speed parallel port to which peripherals can be attached

a. USB port

b. eSATA port

c. SCSI port

d. MIDI port
34. the amount of time it takes the processor to read data, instructions, and information from memory
 a. word size

b. USB port

c. access time

d. AC adapter
35. used to identify audio and video ports

a. jack

b. bus

c. byte

d. bay
36. a rectangular opening that typically holds disk drives

a. processor

b. drive bay

c. memory

d. video card
37. port that can connect multiple types of devices that require faster data transmission speeds

a. FireWire port

b. IrDA port

c. FireWire hub

d. MIDI port
38. memory chips storing permanent data and instructions firmware, contain permanently written data,
instructions, or information

a. memory slots

b. memory cache

c. Read-only memory (ROM)

d. memory card
39. a small piece of semiconducting material, usually silicon, on which integrated circuits are etched

a. control unit

b. computer chip

c. adapter card

d. connector
40. the pace of the system clock that is measured by the number of ticks per second

a. processor

b. clock speed

c. word size

d. PC Card
41. External power supply that converts AC power into DC power that the peripheral requires

a. connector

b. PC Card slot

c. PC Card

d. AC adapter
42. a device that plugs in a USB port on the system unit and contains multiple USB ports in which you plug
cables from USB devices

a. USB port

b. byte
 c. bay

d. USB hub
43. a small circuit board that RAM chips usually reside
on

a. memory cache

b. memory slots

c. memory card

d. memory module
44. a thin, credit card-sized removable flash memory device that primarily is used today to enable traditional
notebook computers and Tablet PCs to access the Internet wirelessly

a. L1 cache

b. PC Card

c. video card

d. sound card
45. a single chip with two or more separate processor cores

a. microprocessor

b. processor

c. memory slots

d. multi-core processor
46. a device that connects to the system unit and is controlled by the processor in the computer

a. peripheral

b. processor

c. serial port

d. drive bay
47. allows the various devices both inside and attached to the system unit to communicate with each other

a. byte

b. bay

c. port

d. bus
48. the component of the system unit that converts the wall outlet AC power into DC power

a. power supply

b. processor

c. peripheral

d. word size
Multiple Choice Questions
1. a special type of expansion slot that holds an ExpressCard module(No Answer)
a. CORRECT: ExpressCard slot
b. PC Card slot
c. expansion slot
d. ExpressCard module
2. a special type of serial port that connects the system unit to a musical instrument(No Answer)
. CORRECT: MIDI port
a. SCSI port
b. IrDA port
c. serial port
3. a socket on the motherboard that can hold an adapter card(No Answer)
. CORRECT: expansion slot
a. ExpressCard slot
b. PC Card slot
c. eSATA port
4. a device that plugs in a FireWire port on the system unit and contains multiple FireWire ports in which you
plug cables from FireWire devices(No Answer)
. gigabyte (GB)
a. drive bay
b. FireWire port
c. CORRECT: FireWire hub
5. allows you to connect an external SATA (Serial Advanced Technology Attachment) hard disk to a
computer(No Answer)
. IrDA port
a. USB port
b. CORRECT: eSATA port
c. SCSI port
6. the point at which a peripheral attaches to or communicates with a system unit so that the peripheral can
send data to or receive information from the computer(No Answer)
. CORRECT: port
a. byte
b. jack
c. bus
7. an opening inside the system unit in which you can install additional equipment (No Answer)
. bus
a. jack
b. byte
c. CORRECT: bay
8. a removable flash memory device that you insert and remove from a slot in a personal computer, game
console, mobile device, or card reader/writer(No Answer)
. memory slots
a. memory
b. CORRECT: memory card
c. memory cache
9. the processes of fetching, decoding, executing, and storing(No Answer)
. CORRECT: machine cycle
a. memory cache
b. L1 cache
c. connector
10. one billionth of a second(No Answer)
. CORRECT: nanosecond
a. connector
b. memory
c. processor
11. converts computer output into a video signal that travels through a cable to the monitor, which displays
an image on the screen(No Answer)
. MIDI port
a. sound card
 b. PC Card
c. CORRECT: video card
12. a case that contains electronic components of the computer used to process data (No Answer)
. serial port
a. control unit
b. eSATA port
c. CORRECT: system unit
13. the component of the processor that directs and coordinates most of the operations in the computer (No
Answer)
. system unit
a. CORRECT: control unit
b. serial port
c. word size
14. the number of bits the processor can interpret and execute at a given time (No Answer)
. CORRECT: word size
a. sound card
b. port
c. clock speed
15. enhances the sound-generating capabilities of a personal computer by allowing sound to be input
through a microphone and output through external speakers or headphones(No Answer)
. video card
a. memory card
b. PC Card
c. CORRECT: sound card
16. technology uses radio waves to transmit data between two devices(No Answer)
. USB port
a. CORRECT: bluetooth
b. byte
c. port
17. when 8 bits are grouped together as a unit(No Answer)
. jack
a. CORRECT: byte
b. port
c. bus
18. technology used by some RAM chips, flash memory chips, and other types of memory chips that provides
high speeds and consumes little power by using battery power to retain information even when the power
to a computer is off(No Answer)
. CORRECT: complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS)
a. arithmetic logic unit (ALU)
b. Read-only memory (ROM)
c. memory module
19. performs arithmetic, comparison, and other operations(No Answer)
. CORRECT: arithmetic logic unit (ALU)
a. megabyte (MB)
b. kilobyte (KB)
c. system unit
20. joins a cable to a port(No Answer)
. sound card
a. nanosecond
b. processor
c. CORRECT: connector
21. holds memory modules(No Answer)
. CORRECT: memory slots
a. memory module
b. memory
c. memory card
22. Port that uses infrared light waves to transmit signals between a wireless device and a computer (No
Answer)
. CORRECT: IrDA port
a. USB port
 b. serial port
c. MIDI port
23. is equal to approximately one billion bytes(No Answer)
. kilobyte (KB)
a. terabyte (TB)
b. CORRECT: gigabyte (GB)
c. megabyte (MB)
24. electronic components in a computer that store instructions waiting to be executed by the processor, the
data needed by those instructions, and the results of processing the data(No Answer)
. memory card
a. PC Card
b. CORRECT: memory
c. port
25. technology that gives a computer the capability to configure adapter cards and other peripherals
automatically as a user installs them(No Answer)
. AC adapter
a. PC Card slot
b. CORRECT: Plug and Play
c. USB port
26. helps speed the processes of the computer because it stores frequently used instructions and data(No
Answer)
. CORRECT: memory cache
a. memory card
b. memory slots
c. L1 cache
27. the main circuit board of the system unit(No Answer)
. CORRECT: motherboard
a. connector
b. memory
c. adapter card
28. the smallest unit of data the computer can process(No Answer)
. PC Card slot
a. CORRECT: bit (binary digit)
b. FireWire port
c. gigabyte (GB)
29. type of cache that is built directly into the processor chip and has a very small capacity (No Answer)
. jack
a. PC Card
b. CORRECT: L1 cache
c. byte
30. is equal to approximately one thousand bytes(No Answer)
. megabyte (MB)
a. CORRECT: kilobyte (KB)
b. gigabyte (GB)
c. byte
31. can be used as a removable flash memory device, adds memory, communications, multimedia, and
security capabilities to computers(No Answer)
. memory module
a. video card
b. ExpressCard slot
c. CORRECT: ExpressCard module
32. is equal to approximately one trillion bytes(No Answer)
. kilobyte (KB)
a. gigabyte (GB)
b. FireWire hub
c. CORRECT: terabyte (TB)
33. special high-speed parallel port to which peripherals can be attached(No Answer)
. USB port
a. eSATA port
b. CORRECT: SCSI port
 c. MIDI port
34. the amount of time it takes the processor to read data, instructions, and information from memory (No
Answer)
. word size
a. USB port
b. CORRECT: access time
c. AC adapter
35. used to identify audio and video ports(No Answer)
. CORRECT: jack
a. bus
b. byte
c. bay
36. a rectangular opening that typically holds disk drives(No Answer)
. processor
a. CORRECT: drive bay
b. memory
c. video card
37. port that can connect multiple types of devices that require faster data transmission speeds (No Answer)
. CORRECT: FireWire port
a. IrDA port
b. FireWire hub
c. MIDI port
38. memory chips storing permanent data and instructions firmware, contain permanently written data,
instructions, or information(No Answer)
. memory slots
a. memory cache
b. CORRECT: Read-only memory (ROM)
c. memory card
39. a small piece of semiconducting material, usually silicon, on which integrated circuits are etched (No
Answer)
. control unit
a. CORRECT: computer chip
b. adapter card
c. connector
40. the pace of the system clock that is measured by the number of ticks per second(No Answer)
. processor
a. CORRECT: clock speed
b. word size
c. PC Card
41. External power supply that converts AC power into DC power that the peripheral requires(No Answer)
. connector
a. PC Card slot
b. PC Card
c. CORRECT: AC adapter
42. a device that plugs in a USB port on the system unit and contains multiple USB ports in which you plug
cables from USB devices(No Answer)
. USB port
a. byte
b. bay
c. CORRECT: USB hub
43. a small circuit board that RAM chips usually reside
on(No Answer)
. memory cache
a. memory slots
b. memory card
c. CORRECT: memory module
44. a thin, credit card-sized removable flash memory device that primarily is used today to enable traditional
notebook computers and Tablet PCs to access the Internet wirelessly (No Answer)
. L1 cache
a. CORRECT: PC Card
 b. video card
c. sound card
45. a single chip with two or more separate processor cores(No Answer)
. microprocessor
a. processor
b. memory slots
c. CORRECT: multi-core processor
46. a device that connects to the system unit and is controlled by the processor in the computer (No Answer)
. CORRECT: peripheral
a. processor
b. serial port
c. drive bay
47. allows the various devices both inside and attached to the system unit to communicate with each other (No
Answer)
. byte
a. bay
b. port
c. CORRECT: bus
48. the component of the system unit that converts the wall outlet AC power into DC power (No Answer)
. CORRECT: power supply
a. processor
b. peripheral
c. word size