Section 5 - Components of a Computer System

Question 1

Define what is meant by hardware.

Give one example.

Answer 1

The physical components that make up a computer system.

RAM stick

Question 2

Define what is meant by software.

Give one example.

Answer 2

The programs or applications that a computer can run.

Word processor/Internet browser/File manager etc.

Question 3

What is an embedded system?

Answer 3

A computer built into another device.

Question 4

Give an example of an embedded system

Answer 4

Dishwasher

Question 5

Explain the difference between system software and application software.

Answer 5

Application software is run by the user to help perform particular tasks, while system software is run by the system to control or maintain the system.

Question 6

Give two benefits of an embedded system over a non-embedded system.

Answer 6

• Embedded systems are usually smaller than non-embedded systems
• Embedded systems are cheaper to produce than non-embedded systems

Question 7

Describe how the CPU uses the clock signal

Answer 7

The CPU uses the clock signal to synchronise components in the computer and to determine when to carry out instructions.

Question 8

What is the name given to wires that transmit data between components in the CPU?

Answer 8

Buses

Question 9

State two functions of the CU

Answer 9

• It controls the flow of data within the CPU

* It follows the fetch-decode-execute cycle

Question 10

Describe the function of the Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)

Answer 10

The ALU carries out arithmetic operations, e.g. addition, subtraction and multiplication. It performs logic operations on binary data, such as AND, NOT, and OR

Question 11

What is the purpose of CPU registers?

Answer 11

The registers are super fast memory that store tiny amounts of data instructions that the CPU can access extremely quickly.

Question 12

Explain how cache memory is used by the CPU

Answer 12

Cache memory is extremely fast memory in the CPU. It stores regularly used data or instructions. The CPU can access data stored in the cache much faster than retrieving it from RAM

Question 13

Describe the difference between volatile and non-volatility memory

Answer 13

Volatile memory is temporary while non-volatile is permanent

Question 14

Explain the purpose of RAM in the computer system.

Answer 14

RAM holds any data that is currently in use. It allows the CPU to directly access data much faster than if the data was on secondary storage.

Question 15

State two functions of the BIOS (Basic Input Output System)

Answer 15

• It loads the operating system

* It checks for hardware connected to the computer

Question 16

Define the term clock speed

Answer 16

The number of clock cycles per second

Question 17

What is secondary storage?

Answer 17

Secondary storage is non-volatile storage that isn’t directly accessible by the CPU.

Question 18

Give two differences between Level 1 cache and Level 3 cache memory.

Answer 18

Level 3 cache can hold more memory than Level 1 cache.
Level 1 cache tends to be quicker than Level 3 cache.

Question 19

State three functions of an operating system

Answer 19

• The OS communicates with the I/O devices
• The OS provides a user interface
• The OS manages the CPU and processes

Question 20

Define what is meant by utility software

Answer 20

Utility software is a software that helps to configure, optimise or maintain a computer.