How can a NIC (the networkd card in my pc) obtain an ip from the DHCP server in my router?

> I dont' know if it's the right place to ask this.... Don't blame me, point me to different subreddit if this is wrong place

When PC starts, my network card knows only it's burned MAC address, right?

And has a physical cable attached to it.

Is the network card itself (a part of firmware in a chip) that asks for a DHCP [layer 1]?

Or is something software (driver, so tcp/ip stack, what else...) [layer 2/3] ?

I ask you because I am curios: the NIC don't know anything about the network.

What system does it use to ask for a DHCP?

Does it 'shoot out' in the cable something like "I need an IP !!!" ?

If yes, what is the protocol ?