Final answer:
Micro operations refer to elementary operations conducted on data within a CPU's register. These operations include arithmetic, logic, shifting data, and transferring data between registers. They are a foundational aspect of a CPU's functionality.
Step-by-step explanation:
The operation executed on data stored in registers is referred to as a micro operation. These operations are elementary operations that can be performed on the data stored within the register of a computer's central processing unit (CPU). They are often contrasted with macro operations, which can represent a sequence of micro operations and could involve more complex instructions.
Micro operations are fundamental to the CPU's functioning. They occur at a microscopic level within the CPU and are not directly visible to the users. These operations might include arithmetic operations like addition or subtraction, logic operations like AND or OR, shifting data, and transferring data from one register to another.
The design and complexity of micro operations can depend on the architecture of the CPU. In simpler, more traditional architectures like the von Neumann architecture, micro operations are generally straightforward and uniform. In contrast, more complex CPU designs, such as those found in modern computers, can feature a multitude of specialized micro operations to handle various types of data manipulation and processing tasks efficiently.