Final answer:
A GPU works in conjunction with a CPU to handle graphic operations by executing instructions in parallel, significantly speeding up rendering and improving performance in graphic-intensive applications.
Step-by-step explanation:
A GPU executes instructions in parallel with the CPU, the main processor, and carries out all graphics operations including modeling, motion, rendering, and display. The GPU is designed to handle the complex mathematical and geometric calculations that are necessary for rendering images and graphics. This parallel processing ability allows the GPU to perform many operations simultaneously, which significantly speeds up graphics rendering and improves the overall performance of applications, especially those with heavy graphic demands such as video games, 3D modeling, and scientific simulations.