Final answer:
The correct answer to the student's question about a system where one component's failure causes the entire system to fail is Dependency theory. This reflects how all parts of the system rely on one another, similar to a series circuit with light bulbs.
Step-by-step explanation:
The scenario described in the student's question refers to a characteristic of a system where failure in one component results in the failure of the entire system. The correct answer to this question is: D) Dependency theory. This principle reflects the situation where all parts of a system are dependent on one another, much like bulbs in a series circuit. If one bulb burns out, the rest of the bulbs will not function because the electrical path is interrupted.
In contrast, the Redundancy principle often refers to the presence of backup components that take over when one fails, which maintains system operation. Parallel processing involves multiple pathways for operation, which allows for continued function if one pathway fails. Lastly, a Failover mechanism is a specific strategy used to switch automatically to a redundant or standby system component upon the failure of a previously active component.