Final answer:
The cylinder head is the part of an internal combustion engine with a series of passageways around the cylinder and combustion chamber, integral to the engine's airflow and exhaust during the combustion process.
Step-by-step explanation:
The component of an internal combustion engine that comprises a series of passageways surrounding the cylinder and combustion chamber is the cylinder head. These passageways are crucial for directing the airflow and managing the intake and exhaust gases that are part of the combustion process. In the sequence of the four-stroke cycle of the internal combustion engine, known as the Otto cycle, the cylinder head plays an essential role in the power stroke where the combustion of the air-fuel mixture occurs and during the exhaust stroke where gases are expelled. The combustion within the engine converts chemical potential energy into thermal energy and then into mechanical work that drives the vehicle.