Kernel & Firmware

Any of you nice people can kindly explain to me the difference between Kernel and firmware please? Very confusing to me.
Many thanks in advance

in the context of flashcarts, its two different terms for the same thing, there is no difference

Replying to #2

For Ez-Flash:Kernel = the software of ez flash to run AP protected games without patching on Ez Flash
Firmwire = the software of ez flash itself. Makes the card able to run on eg the newest DSi firmwire