Why does RAM improve speed of mac?

Why does improving the RAM increase the speed of opening skype, about this mac, system preferences and activity monitor? It seems it only opens these sort of Applications quicker, not other applications which involve alot of data-reading. I know what RAM is and what it does, but dont see why it makes these quicker? Im suprised how much of a difference 8GB is from 2GB.
Thanks, Tom

Basically because it is a lot faster than the alternative: using vacant hard drive space as temporary 'virtual memory'.
Useful (but possibly headache-inducing) reading:
http://osxdaily.com/2010/10/08/mac-virtual-memory-swap/
Memory Management in OS X:
http://developer.apple.com/mac/library/documentation/Cocoa/Conceptual/MemoryMgmt /Articles/mmPractical.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/TP40004447-SW1
Full OS X Directory:
http://developer.apple.com/documentation/performance/Conceptual/ManagingMemory/A rticles/AboutMemory.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/20001880

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