Verification of truth: A lotus (the plant) necessarily comprises which of the following elements as a part of the organism itself?

Introduction / Context:
This item asks for a constituent that the organism (lotus) has as part of itself, not merely something in its environment. We apply “must have” to the living structure.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The target organism is the lotus (not its habitat).
• Options mix intrinsic parts (e.g., petals) with environmental associations (e.g., mud, water).

Concept / Approach:
We distinguish between components of the plant body and external media. Parts of a flowering plant include roots, stems, leaves, flowers (with petals, sepals, etc.). Mud and water are habitat media; they are not structural parts of the lotus.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Public botanical knowledge: a flower includes petals; mud/water can vary by cultivation method; hydroponics could remove “mud” entirely.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Mud: habitat medium, not part of the plant body.
• Roots: part of the plant, but the question uses “lotus” in a flower-identification context; among given choices, petals best reflects the “lotus flower” constituent.
• Water: external medium.
• None of these: incorrect because petals are intrinsic.

Common Pitfalls:
Confusing habitat elements with structural components.

Final Answer:
Petals