The human body analogy

The complex functionality of a computer is easier to understand in non-technical terms by using the analogy of the human body.

Roll the mouse cursor over the objects in the list to see the computer equivalent

Computer Device

Computer Function

Human Body

Human Body Function

Processor

Controls all Devices.

Brain

Controls all parts and functions of the body.

Hardware

Physical devices.

Physical Organs

The organs carry out the function.

BIOS

Built-in Software.

Basic Human Instinct

Instructions on how the human behaves. Already there at birth.

System Bus

Carries signals between processor and devices

Central nervous system

Works on tiny electrical impulses. Carries the instructions from the sensors to the brain and from the brain to the individual organs and muscles.

Keyboard and Mouse

Input devices

Eyes Ears Touch

The sensors that translate to instructions that the nervous system can carry out.

Monitor and Speakers

Output devices

Voice and Body Language

The items that communicate with other humans.

Software

Tells hardware what to do

Thought processes

Processes in the brain that carry out functions.

Power Supply

Provides power to all devices

Heart lungs and digestion

Provide the energy to keep the body going.