What does the motherboard facilitate in a computer system?

The motherboard plays a crucial role in a computer system by facilitating connectivity between hardware components. It serves as the central hub where various components such as the CPU (Central Processing Unit), RAM (Random Access Memory), storage devices, and expansion cards are connected and communicate with each other. The motherboard contains slots, sockets, and connectors that allow these components to interact effectively, ensuring that data and power flow as needed to operate the computer. This connectivity is fundamental for the system's functionality, enabling the coordination and performance required for applications and tasks to be executed efficiently.

The other options do not accurately describe the primary function of the motherboard. For example, while it does provide some level of power management by distributing power to connected components, this is not its primary role. Additionally, cooling of the CPU is managed through heatsinks and fans rather than the motherboard itself. The storage of files and applications is primarily handled by storage devices like hard drives or SSDs, which connect to the motherboard but are not managed by it directly.