What are Lac mutants?

Answer 1

Lac mutants are bacterial strains, particularly of Escherichia coli, that have mutations in the lac operon, which is responsible for the metabolism of lactose. These mutations can affect various components, such as the lacZ gene that encodes β-galactosidase, leading to the inability to utilize lactose as a carbon source. Lac mutants are often used in genetic studies and biotechnology to understand gene regulation and metabolic pathways. They can be classified into different types based on their specific mutations and the resulting phenotypes.