The ______ interprets and carries out the basic instructions that operate a computer.a.motherboardb.processorc.transistord.circuit board

Final Answer

The correct answer is b. processor.

Explanation

The processor, also known as the central processing unit (CPU), is a critical component of a computer that interprets and executes instructions from both hardware and software. It acts as the brain of the computer, performing calculations, making decisions, and managing data flow between various components of the system.

While the motherboard serves as the main circuit board that connects all components together and facilitates communication between them, and transistors and circuit boards are vital for the operation of electronic devices, it is the processor that directly interprets and executes instructions. It operates using a set of commands known as machine language, allowing it to perform tasks ranging from simple arithmetic operations to complex algorithms. Therefore, among the options provided, the processor is the correct choice as it is fundamentally responsible for executing the basic instructions that run the computer.