Access database

I have a small network consisting of 11 workstations. The requirement of the system is to have an Access database. All worksations have MS office pro installed, and XP pro. The server NOS is SBS.

My questions are:

Does the Access application program (in office) on the workstations have to talk with a program such as MS SQL server on the server?

If not, how does Access retrieve records?

How would you set up your Access database?

Cheers
Confused