Management Information System (MIS) Practice Exam

Which component performs all of the operations of the computer?

1. Random-access memory

2. Central processing unit

3. Read-only memory

4. Application software

The correct answer is: Central processing unit

The component that performs all operations of the computer is the Central Processing Unit (CPU). This is often referred to as the brain of the computer because it handles all instructions from both hardware and software. The CPU executes arithmetic and logic operations, controls the flow of data within the system, and coordinates between various other components of the computer such as memory and input/output devices. Random-access memory (RAM) serves as temporary storage for data and instructions that the CPU needs while executing tasks. It's crucial for performance but does not perform operations itself. Read-only memory (ROM) is mainly used to store firmware and cannot be modified during normal operation, which also means it doesn't handle computations or processing tasks. Application software, while essential for user tasks, relies on the CPU to execute its functions but does not directly perform operations on its own. Therefore, the CPU is the definitive answer, as it is responsible for carrying out every operation the computer performs.