Which component in a computer is responsible for processing instructions?

The component responsible for processing instructions in a computer is the CPU, or Central Processing Unit. The CPU is often referred to as the "brain" of the computer because it performs the main operations of data processing. It executes instructions from programs, performs calculations, and manages data flow in the system. The CPU interprets the arithmetic and logic operations required by the instructions it processes.

In contrast, RAM (Random Access Memory) is primarily used for temporarily storing data and instructions that the CPU needs while performing tasks. It does not process instructions on its own. The hard drive is responsible for long-term data storage, allowing data to be saved and retrieved even when the computer is powered off, but it does not execute instructions. The graphics card, or GPU, handles rendering images and graphics, which involves processing visual information, but its role is specialized and not about general instruction processing like the CPU. Thus, the CPU is the key component for processing instructions in a computer system.