Which of the following components is considered firmware that can be updated through flashing?

The BIOS, or Basic Input/Output System, is a type of firmware that is fundamental for booting up a computer. It is stored on a non-volatile memory chip on the motherboard and initializes hardware components during the startup process, then hands control over to the operating system. Firmware like the BIOS can be updated through a process known as flashing. This can be important for improving system stability, compatibility with newer hardware, or adding features to the motherboard.

The other components listed serve different functions and are not classified as firmware. RAM is a type of volatile memory used for temporary data storage while a computer is running, and it cannot be updated or flashed since it doesn't store permanent firmware. A flash drive serves as a portable storage medium and while it might store files, it doesn't designate a system firmware component itself. The CPU, or Central Processing Unit, is the main processor of the computer that performs calculations and processes data; it does not involve firmware in the way that the BIOS does, nor can it typically be flashed like BIOS.