The correct option is C Lactose dehydrogenase
The lac operon is an operon responsible for transport and metabolism of lactose in Escherichia coli and other bacteria. It has three structural genes. The lac Z gene codes for β-galactosidase which converts lactose into glucose and galactose. Thus, E. coli cells with a mutated Z gene of the lac operon cannot grow in medium containing only lactose as the source of energy because they cannot synthesize functional β-galactosidase. The lac Y gene that codes for β-galactoside permease which transports lactose into the cell. The lac A gene codes for β-galactoside transacetylase. Lactate dehydrogenase is found in nearly all living cells. Its function is to catalyze the conversion of pyruvate to lactate. It is not a part of lac operon. Option C is correct answer.