Key Terms
Key Term
Definition
AC adapter (166)
A power adapter that converts AC to DC, provides power to drive the system unit components, and can recharge batteries.
accelerated graphics port (AGP) (164)
A bus that is dedicated to the acceleration of graphics performance.
analog (152)
Continuous, signals that vary to represent different tones, pitches, and volume.
arithmetic-logic unit (ALU) (155)
The ALU, performs two types of operations: arithmetic and logical.
arithmetic operation (155)
Fundamental math operations: addition, subtraction, multiplication, division.
ASCII (152)
American Standard Code for Information Interchange, a 7-bit binary coding scheme used widely by microcomputers
binary coding scheme (152)
How characters 0’s and 1’s in the computer
binary system (152)
A numbering system that consists of only two digits, 0 and 1.
bit (152)
Short for – Binary Digit.
bus (161)
Connects the parts of the CPU to each other. (See also bus line)
bus line (155, 161)
Connects the parts of the CPU to each other. (See also bus)
bus width (161)
The number of bits that can travel simultaneously down a bus
byte (152)
Eight bits.  Each byte typically represents one character.
cable (166)
Connects external devices to the system unit via ports.
cache memory (157)
A temporary high-speed holding area between the memory and the CPU used to improve processing time.  (See also RAM cache)
carrier package (154)
Micro chips on mounted on them.  They are either plug directly into sockets on the system board or onto cards that are then plugged into slots on the system board.
central processing unit (CPU) (155)
The “brains” of a computer and is contained on a single chip. (See also microprocessor, processor)
chip (154)
Consists of tiny circuit boards etched onto squares of
sandlike material called silicon. (See also integrated circuit, silicon chip, semiconductor)
clock speed (159)
The speed of processing or power of a computer system. (See also clock speed)
complementary metal-oxide semi-conductor (CMOS) (158)
tablet computing是什么意思中文A complementary metal-oxide semiconductor contains essential information that is required every time the computer system is turned on.
computer technician (167)
People who repair and install computer components and systems.
control unit (155)
The part of a processor that tells the rest of the computer system how to carry out a program’s instructions, and directs the movement of electronic signals between memory.
coprocessor (156)
Specialty chips designed to improve specific computing operations.
desktop system unit (150)
A unit that contains the system’s electronic components and selected secondary storage devices. Input and output devices are external.
digital (152)
Signals that are only in two states – on or off – are use to represent voice and data.
dual-core chips (156)
A new type of microprocessor that provides two separate and independent CPUs
EBCDIC (152)
Extended Binary Coded Decimal Interchange Code. An 8-bit binary coding scheme developed by IBM and used primarily in large computers.
expansion bus (161)
connects the CPU to other components on the system board, including expansion slots.
expansion card (159)
Optional devices users can insert into their computers.
expansion slot (159)
Slots provided on a microcomputer where users can insert optional devices.
FireWire bus (164)
A bus dedicated to the acceleration of graphics performance. (See also high-performance serial bus)
FireWire port (165)
Provides connections to specialized FireWire devices such as camcorders.  (See alsohigh-performance serial bus (HPSB) ports)
flash memory (157)
Chips that can retain data even if power is disrupted. (See also flash RAM)
graphics card (160)
Converts the internal electronic signals to video signals so they can be displayed on the monitor.(See also video card)
graphics coprocessor (156)
A processor specifically designed to handle the processing requirements related to displaying and manipulating 2-D and 3-D graphics images.
handheld computer system unit (151)
The smallest type of PC and are designed to fit into the palm of one hand. (See also palm computer)
industry standard architecture (ISA) (164)
8- and 16- bit expansion bus developed for the first IBM Personal Computer
Infrared Data Association (IrDA) (165)
Provides a wireless mechanism for communicating to the system unit. (See also fast infrared (FIR))
integrated circuit (154)
Consists of tiny circuit boards etched onto squares of
sandlike material called silicon. (See also chip, silicon chip, semiconductor)
laptop computer (150)
These system units contain the electronic components, selected secondary storage devices, and input devices.  (See also notebook system unit)
logical operation (156)
Compare two pieces of data
memory (157)
A holding area for data, instructions, and information and contained on chips connected to the system board.
microprocessor (155)
The “brains” of a computer and is contained on a single chip. (See also central processing unit, processor)
modem card (160)
Allow distant computers to communicate with one another by converting electronic signals from within the system unit into electronic signals that can travel over telephone lines and other types of connections. (See also internal modem)
motherboard (163)
The communications medium for the entire computer system. (See also main board, system board)
musical instrument digital interface (MIDI) (165)
A special type of serial port for connecting musical instruments to a sound card.
network adapter card (160)
Connects a computer to one or more other computers. (See also network interface card)
network interface card (NIC) (160)
Connects a computer to one or more other computers. (See also network adapter card)
notebook system unit (150)
These system units contain the electronic components, selected secondary storage devices, and input devices.  (See also laptop computer)
parallel port (164)
Connects external devices that need to send or receive a lot of data over a short distance.
parallel processing (156)
Two separate and independent CPUs that are divide programs into parts that each CPU could process independently.
PC card (161)
Credit card–sized expansion card (See also PCMCIA)
PCI Express (PCIe) (165)
New type of bus that is 30 times faster than PCI bus.
peripheral component interconnect (PCI) (164)
A high speed 32- or 64- bit bus developed to meet the video demands of graphical user interfaces.
personal digital assistant (PDA) (151)
The most widely used handheld computers.
Plug and Play (160)
A set of hardware and software standards by hardware and software vendors to create operating systems, processing units, and expansion boards, as well as other devices that are able to configure themselves
port (164)
A socket for external devices to connect to the system unit.
power supply unit (166)
Converts AC to DC, and provides the power to drive all of the system unit components.
processor (155)
The “brains” of a computer and is contained on a single chip. (See also microprocessor, central processing unit)
random-access memory (RAM) (157)
Chips temporarily hold that programs and data the CPU is presently processing.
read-only memory (ROM) (158)
Chips that typically contain special instructions for detailed computer operations.  (See also firmware)
RFID tag (157)
Specialty processor where information chips are embedded in merchandise to track their locations.
semiconductor (154)
Consists of tiny circuit boards etched onto squares of
sandlike material called silicon. (See also integrated circuit, silicon chip, chip)
serial ATA (SATA) (165)
New type of bus used to connect magnetic and optical disc drives to the system board with far greater speed than other types of buses.
serial port (164)
Port that sends data one bit at a time and good for sending information over a long distance.
silicon chip (154)
Consists of tiny circuit boards etched onto squares of
sandlike material called silicon. (See also integrated circuit, chip, semiconductor)
slot (154)
Provides a connection point for specialized cards or circuit boards.
smart card (156)
A plastic card the size of a regular credit card that has an embedded chip.
socket (154)
Provides a connection point for chips
sound card (160)
accept audio input from a microphone and convert it into a form that can be processed by the computer.
system board (153)
The communications medium for the entire computer system. (See also motherboard, main board)
system bus (161)
Connects the CPU to memory on the system board
system cabinet (150)
A container that houses most of the electronic components that make up a computer system. (See also system unit, or chassis)
system clock (159)
A small specialized chip that produces precisely timed electrical beats or impulses.
system unit (150)
A container that houses most of the electronic components that make up a computer system. (See also chassis, or system cabinet)
tablet PC (150)
A highly portable device that supports the use of a stylus or pen to input commands and data. (See also tablet PC system unit)
tablet PC system unit (150)
A highly portable device that supports the use of a stylus or pen to input commands and data. (See also tablet PC)
TV tuner card (160)
Contains a TV tuner and a video converter that changes the TV signal into one that canbe displayed on your monitor.  (See also television board, video recorder cards, video capture card)
Unicode (152)
A 16-bit binary coding scheme designed to support international languages.
universal serial bus (USB) (164)
A bust that combines with a PCI bus on the system board to support several external devices without using expansion cards or slots.
universal serial bus (USB) port (164)
Fastest type of port that can connect several devices at a time to the system unit.
virtual memory (158)
A space utilized on a secondary storage device by the operating system used to swap information when there isn’t enough RAM to process all applications.
word (156)
The number of bits (such as 16, 32, or 64) that can be  accessed at one time by the CPU.

Crossword Puzzle Answers:
Across
Num.
Clue
Answer
6
Assists with the installation of expansion cards.
Plug and Play
8
Memory which improves processing by acting as a temporary high-speed holding area between memory and the CPU.
Cache
10
Controls the speed of operations.
System Clock
Down
Num.
Clue
Answer
1
Part of a microcomputer that contains the CPU.
System Unit
2
Controls and manipulates data to produce information.
Microprocessor
3
The number of bits that can be accessed by the microprocessor at one time.
Word
4
Holding area for data, instructions, and information.
Memory
5
Used to connect external devices to system unit via ports.
Cable
7
Unit consisting of eight bits.
Byte
9
Most widely used microprocessor binary coding scheme.
ASCII
Num
Multiple Choice Answers
Matching Answers
1
D
J
2
B
A
3
C
C
4
B
H
5
B
G
6
A
I
7
A
D
8
C
E
9
B
F
10
D
B
Open Ended Questions:
1. Describe the four basic types of system units.
• Desktop system units contain the system’s electronic components and selected secondary storage devices. Input and output devices are located outside the system unit.
• Notebook system units are portable and much smaller and contain the electronic components, selected secondary storage devices, and input devices
• Tablet PC system units are highly portable devices that support the use of a stylus or pen to input commands and data.
• Handheld computer system units are the smallest and contain an entire computer system
2. Describe the two basic components of the CPU.
• Control unit: tells the rest of the computer system how to carry out a program’s instructions. It directs the movement of electronic signals between memory, which temporarily holds data, instructions, and processed information, and the arithmetic-logic unit. It also directs these control signals between the CPU and input and output devices.
• Arithmetic-logic unit: The arithmetic-logic unit performs two types of operations: arithme
tic and logical. Arithmetic operations are, as you might expect, the fundamental math operations: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Logical operations consist of comparisons.
3. What are the differences and similarities between the three types of memory?
Random-access memory (RAM) chips hold the program and data that the CPU is presently processing. RAM is called temporary or volatile storage because everything in most types of RAM is lost as soon as the microcomputer is turned off.

Read-only memory (ROM) chips have programs built into them at the factory. Unlike RAM chips, ROM chips are not volatile and cannot be changed by the user.

Complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) chips provide flexibility and expandability for a computer system. They contain essential information that is required every time the computer system is turned on.
4. Identify five expansion cards and describe the function of each.
• Sound cards: These cards accept audio input from a microphone and convert it into a form that can be processed by the computer. Also, these cards convert internal electronic signals to audio signals so they can be heard from external speakers.
• Modem cards: These cards allow distant computers to communicate with one another by converting electronic signals from within the system unit into electronic signals that can travel over telephone lines and other types of connections.
• Network interface cards (NIC): These cards are used to connect a computer to one or more other computers. The network adapter card typically connects the system unit to a cable that connects to the network.
• TV tuner cards: TV tuner cards contain a TV tuner and a video converter that changes the TV signal into one that can be displayed on your monitor.
• Video cards: These cards connect the system board to the computer’s monitor, and they convert the internal electronic signals to video signals so they can be displayed on the monitor.
5. Identify and describe four standard ports and three specialized ports.
The four standard ports are:
• Serial ports are used for a wide variety of purposes. They are often used to connect a mouse, keyboard, modem, and many other devices to the system unit. Serial ports send data one bit at a time and are very good for sending information over a long distance.
• Parallel ports are used to connect external devices that need to send or receive a lot of data over a short distance. These ports typically send eight bits of data simultaneously across eight parallel wires. Parallel ports are mostly used to connect printers to the system unit.
• Universal serial bus (USB) ports are gradually replacing serial and parallel ports. They are faster, and one USB port can be used to connect several devices to the system unit.
• FireWire ports are as fast as USB 2.0 ports and provide connections to specialized FireWire devices such as camcorders.

The three specialized ports are:
• Musical instrument digital interface (MIDI) ports are a special type of serial port for connecting musical instruments to a sound card. The sound card converts the music into a series of digital instructions. These instructions can be processed immediately to reproduce the music or saved to a file for later processing.
• Small computer system interface (SCSI) ports are a special type of highspeed parallel port for connecting a series of input and/or output SCSI devices to a single SCSI controller card. This arrangement allows several devices to communicate with the system unit through a single slot on the system board.
• Infrared Data Association (IrDA) provide a wireless mechanism for transferring data between devices. Instead of cables, the IrDA ports from each device are directly aligned and infrared light waves are used to transmit data. One of the most common applications is to transfer data from either a handheld or notebook computer to a desktop computer.

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