read input file a line as a list in python

[Yong Wang]

Hi, All:
    I need to read a input file as soucre to process data. Ideally
if I can read a line from input file as a list (coloumn separate by
white space), reorganize field in a line. Does python has this kind of 
command ? 
   for example, I read a line has:
   "IP  MAC Date..." as a line from input file, How  can I only get MAC ?
    Thanks,

    Yong