Effect of Lactase Mutation on Lactose Digestion

In molecular biology, enzymes play a crucial role in facilitating chemical reactions within cells. Each enzyme is highly specific to the substrate it acts upon, and this specificity is largely determined by the enzyme's active site. A mutation in the gene encoding an enzyme can lead to alterations in its active site, potentially affecting the enzyme's function. Consider the case of the enzyme lactase, which breaks down lactose into glucose and galactose. A genetic mutation that reduces the affinity of lactase for lactose might have significant implications for an individual's ability to digest dairy products.

Which of the following statements best describes the potential effect of a mutation that reduces the affinity of lactase for lactose?