Final answer:
A single nucleotide deletion within the reading frame of a structural gene would result in a frameshift mutation, changing every amino acid after the mutation point. This often leads to the creation of a nonfunctional protein or premature termination of protein synthesis.
Step-by-step explanation:
A single nucleotide deletion (point mutation) within the reading frame of a structural gene would result in a frameshift mutation.
Frameshift mutations occur when there is an insertion or deletion of nucleotides that are not in multiples of three, causing a shift in the reading frame.
This shift in the reading frame changes every amino acid after the point of the mutation and often leads to the creation of a nonfunctional protein or premature termination of protein synthesis.