Key terms Chapter 1.

Question 1

Byte

Answer 1

eight bits

Question 2

Central processing unit(CPU)

Answer 2

carries out every command or process on the computer and can be thought of as the brain of the computer

Question 3

Computer

Answer 3

an electronic device that processes data according to a set of instructions or commands, known as a program

Question 4

Core

Answer 4

the central processing unit (CPU) and the main memory

Question 5

Decimal

Answer 5

base-ten, numeral system that uses zero to nine

Question 6

Digit

Answer 6

each number in the decimal system, zero to nine

Question 7

Hardware

Answer 7

the physical parts of the computer, including devices such as the monitor, keyboard, speakers, wires, chips, cables, plugs, disks, printers, and mice

Question 8

Hexadecimal

Answer 8

base 16, number system that uses 0-9 and a–f

Question 9

Input and output (I/O) devices

Answer 9

how the user interacts with the computer

Question 10

Main memory

Answer 10

memory that temporarily stores information while it is being sent to the CPU, also called RAM

Question 11

Motherboard (logic board)

Answer 11

the standardized printed circuit board that connects the CPU, main memory, and peripherals

Question 12

Nonvolatile

Answer 12

does not need a power supply. Information is physically written to the device

Question 13

Nybble (or Nibble)

Answer 13

half byte, four bits

Question 14

Operating system (OS)

Answer 14

the visual representation of the computer

Question 15

Peripherals

Answer 15

the input and output (I/O) devices and the secondary memory

Question 16

POST

Answer 16

power-on self-test

Question 17

Power supply

Answer 17

converts AC electricity to the lower voltage DC electricity that is needed to power the computer

Question 18

Random Access Memory (RAM)

Answer 18

memory that can be retrieved or written to anywhere without having to go through all the previous memory

Question 19

Secondary Memory

Answer 19

used for long term storage and is physically changed when files are saved or deleted

Question 20

Sequential memory

Answer 20

memory used to store back-up data on a tape

Question 21

Volatile

Answer 21

needs a power supply. Turning off the power deletes information

Question 22

Software

Answer 22

includes the operating system and the applications. It is usually stored on a computer’s hard drive and cannot physically be touched. At the lowest level, it is a series of ones and zeros