Computer Concept Courses (CCC) Practice Test 2025 - Free Practice Questions and Study Guide

The central processing unit (CPU) is fundamentally composed of two primary components: the control unit and the arithmetic logic unit (ALU). The control unit is responsible for directing the operation of the processor, managing the execution of instructions by coordinating between the various hardware components. It fetches instructions from memory, decodes them, and then executes them in the correct order.

On the other hand, the arithmetic logic unit performs all mathematical calculations and logical operations. It carries out tasks such as addition, subtraction, and logical operations like AND, OR, and NOT. The ALU receives data from the control unit and processes this data accordingly.

Together, these two components enable the CPU to carry out instructions effectively, making them central to the functioning of a computer. Understanding the distinct roles of the control unit and ALU highlights why this particular combination is key to the CPU's operations. Other options presented do not accurately represent the fundamental components of a CPU, focusing on irrelevant elements like storage or program counters instead of the core architecture involving the control unit and ALU.