Which internal CPU register holds the memory address of the next sequential instruction waiting to be fetched and executed?

Answer and explanation

Correct answer: A. Program Counter (PC)

  1. Step 1: During the instruction fetch stage of the machine cycle, the CPU inspects the Program Counter to identify where the subsequent instruction resides in RAM.
  2. Step 2: Once the instruction is fetched into the instruction register, the Program Counter automatically increments to point to the next consecutive memory address, unless redirected by a jump or branch.
Answer
Program Counter (PC)
Why not the others: 'Instruction Register (IR)' The Instruction Register holds the binary instruction currently undergoing decoding and execution; 'Memory Address Register (MAR)' The MAR holds the immediate physical address currently accessed on the memory address bus; 'Status Register (Flags)' The Status or Flag register contains individual bit flags indicating arithmetic conditions such as zero, carry, or overflow.

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