Which component carries data to and from the processor in a computer?

The data bus is a critical component in a computer system responsible for transferring data between the processor and other components, such as memory and input/output devices. It acts as a communication pathway, allowing the processor to send and receive data from RAM, cache memory, and peripherals. The width of the data bus, determined by the number of parallel lines it contains, significantly influences the amount of data that can be transmitted simultaneously, thereby affecting overall system performance.

In contrast, the control unit manages and coordinates the activities within the computer without directly transferring data itself. RAM serves as temporary storage for data and instructions that are actively being used or processed, while cache memory is a smaller, faster type of volatile storage that holds copies of frequently accessed data from RAM to speed up access times. However, neither RAM nor cache are responsible for the actual transport of data; they function more as storage facilities. Therefore, the data bus is the correct answer, as it is specifically designed for the purpose of carrying data to and from the processor.