Final answer:
The control unit in a computer is the component that coordinates all computer components' activities, including the CPU, acting much like the human brain in orchestrating processes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The control unit of a computer plays a crucial role by coordinating the activities of all the computer's components, including the Central Processing Unit (CPU). To provide a better understanding, it can be likened to the human brain in that it manages and directs the various functions and processes of the computer system. Unlike the arithmetic logic unit (ALU), which executes mathematical and logical operations, the control unit does not perform these tasks but instead ensures that the computer's instructions are executed in the correct order and that data flows smoothly between the CPU and other components of the computer system.