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A motherboard is a printed circuit board (PCB) that serves as the central hub of a computer, connecting and facilitating communication between all internal components, including the CPU, RAM, storage devices, and expansion cards, as well as providing ports for external peripherals and power. It contains traces, which are thin layers of conductive material like copper, that form intricate circuits to transfer data and power throughout the system, ensuring that all hardware works together.

Key functions of a motherboard:

Component Connection: It provides the essential sockets, slots, and connectors needed to physically attach the CPU, memory (RAM), graphics cards, storage drives, and other hardware.

Power Distribution: The motherboard distributes electrical power from the power supply to all connected components, ensuring they receive the necessary energy to function.

Data Communication: It acts as the main communication pathway, enabling data to flow between the CPU, memory, and other components via its integrated circuit traces.

I/O and Peripheral Support: Motherboards contain ports and interfaces for connecting input/output (I/O) devices and other peripherals, such as USB ports, audio jacks, and network connectors.

System Backbone: It forms the fundamental structure or "backbone" of the computer, unifying all the separate hardware components into a cohesive, functioning system.