| A | B |
|---|
| bit | A zero or one in the binary system |
| byte | eight bits |
| Central processing unit | brains of the computer |
| main memory | RAM or primary memory |
| motherboard | contains all of the computer system's main components |
| Random access memory | instructions/data are stored on a temporary basis |
| read only memory | permanent computer storage |
| USB port | able to transport 12 million bits per second |
| Arithmetic/logic unit (ALU) | Part of the CPU where all calculationos and comparisons take place |
| Control unit | part of the CPU that coordinates all CPU activities |
| binary number system | a numeric system that uses 1 and 0 |
| clock speed | the speed in which the processor executes instructions |
| gigahertz | one billion cycles per second |
| megahertz | one million cycles per second |
| IPOS | Input, processing, output, storage |
| programs | special instructions that control the activities of the computer |
| one | switch containing electricity |
| zero | switch that does not contain electricity |
| serial | transmits data one bit at a time |
| parallel | transmits data several bits at a time |
| modem | device that allows one computer to talk to another |
