If the gene for primase were mutated so that no functional primase was produced, what would be the effect on the two types of bacterial DNA replication?

Theta - would be unable to initiate

rolling circle - could proceed without primase

Explanation:

Primase is an enzyme involved in the replication of DNA and catalyzes the synthesis of Primers (Short RNA segments)

Bacterial replication can be by theta or Rolling circle.

In theta replication primers are to initiate replication, without primase there will be no primers hence replication will not be initiated.

Rolling circle is in circular DNA and replication is initiated by an initiator protein encoded by plasmid therefore the process will proceed without primase.