Final answer:
The inheritance of acquired characteristics is not a key component in the theory of evolution.
Step-by-step explanation:
The theory of evolution is based on several key components, including genetic variation, natural selection, and overproduction of offspring. However, the inheritance of acquired characteristics is not considered a key component in the theory of evolution. This concept, also known as Lamarckism, suggests that traits acquired during an organism's lifetime can be passed on to future generations, but it has been largely discredited in modern biology.