How does a computer store an image?

A computer stores an image by dividing it into a grid of individual elements known as pixels. Each pixel represents a small portion of the overall image and contains information about its color and intensity. By combining these pixels together, the computer constructs the entire image. This method allows for detailed representation and manipulation of images, making it essential for tasks in medical imaging, graphic design, and digital photography.

Choosing to represent the image as a single pixel would only convey the information of one tiny part of the image, resulting in loss of detail and clarity. While using a color palette can help define the colors that might be present in the image, it doesn't provide the actual spatial layout or detail necessary for displaying an image. Similarly, describing an image as a flat file mainly refers to how files are stored on a disk, lacking the specifics about the data structure used to actually represent the image's visual content. Thus, storing an image as a group of pixels captures the complexity and richness of the visual information effectively.