Confused about wireless access points and routers

[nmdride]

I know a wireless router sends signal to my computer. but what does a wireless access point do? i understand it connects to your router, but whats it purpose? does it make your signal stronger or what??

 

[Plumble]

It can act as a range booster.

 

[elel]

Both an access point (AP) and a wireless router give you wireless access to your network and to the internet, along with signal encryption features. The difference is that, while an AP gives you just this, a router also gives you DHCP (automatically assigning IP addresses), NAT (hiding all of your computers behind a single IP address) and most likely a firewall as well.