What is the role of the motherboard in a computer?

• A. It houses the computer's power supply and controls cooling.
• B. It stores all system files.
• C. It connects and enables communication among CPU, memory, storage, and peripherals.
• D. It directly executes user programs.

Answer: (C)

The motherboard is the central circuit board that connects and coordinates all the major components so they can work together. It provides sockets and interfaces for the CPU, memory (RAM), storage devices, and expansion cards, and it carries data and control signals between them through buses and the chipset. This is what lets the processor access memory, read and write data to drives, and communicate with peripherals like a keyboard, mouse, or network card. The power supply is a separate unit that delivers power via connectors to the motherboard and other parts, and while there are headers for cooling fans, the motherboard doesn’t control the cooling system itself. System files live on storage devices, not on the motherboard. The CPU is the one that executes user programs.