Which of the following is NOT a component of the theory of evolution?

The theory of evolution is built upon several foundational concepts that explain how species change over time. One key aspect is common descent, which suggests that all living organisms share a common ancestor from which they have evolved. This concept helps to understand the relationships between different species and their evolutionary history.

Another important component is competition, which is a natural survival mechanism leading to the 'struggle for existence.' Organisms compete for limited resources, and this competition plays a critical role in natural selection, helping to shape the traits of species over time based on their adaptive advantages.

Overpopulation is also a significant element of the theory, as it addresses the tendency of species to produce more offspring than can survive due to resource limitations. This leads to a struggle for survival and contributes to natural selection.

Artificial selection, however, refers to the human-driven process of breeding organisms for desired traits, rather than a naturally occurring evolutionary mechanism. While it demonstrates how organisms can be changed over time, it does not underpin the core principles of natural evolution as described in the theory. Hence, it is viewed as distinct from the fundamental concepts that establish the biological theory of evolution.