What is the role of a circuit board in a computer?

The role of a circuit board in a computer, particularly the main circuit board known as the motherboard, is to act as the control center that connects all of the computer's components. It serves as the backbone of the system, allowing communication between the processor, memory, storage devices, and various peripheral devices. The circuit board provides the necessary pathways for electrical signals to travel, ensuring that different parts of the computer work together efficiently.

By integrating connectors, sockets, and raised circuit paths, the circuit board facilitates the coordination of tasks and resource management. This connectivity is crucial for the functioning of the computer, as without a reliable circuit board, the components would not be able to communicate effectively, which would impair the overall operation of the system.

Other options refer to functions that are specific to individual components or software rather than the overall architecture of the computer. For instance, storage components pertain specifically to where data and programs are housed, whereas measurement units for microchips relate to the specifications of the chips themselves, and methods for online transactions involve software protocols and security measures rather than the hardware infrastructure represented by a circuit board.