Final answer:
A deletion mutation that removes the o1 sequence is a form of genetic alteration where nucleotides are lost from DNA, potentially causing a frameshift mutation that alters protein synthesis.
Step-by-step explanation:
The mutation that deletes the o1 sequence refers to a type of genetic mutation known as a deletion mutation. This occurs when one or more nucleotides are removed from a DNA sequence. If the deletion includes part of a gene or a regulatory sequence like o1, it can have significant consequences for the organism. It is also crucial to mention that deletions that are not in multiples of three nucleotides cause a frameshift mutation, dramatically altering the amino acid sequence synthesized from the mutated gene due to the shift in the reading frame used during protein synthesis.
A good example to illustrate this is the deletion of a single nucleotide within a codon. This leads to all subsequent codons being misread during translation, potentially resulting in a dysfunctional protein. For instance, deleting a U from the third position of the third codon can change the whole polypeptide sequence, as shown in a figure where a normal gene coding for the polypeptide met-lys-phe-gly-ile-val-pro is mutated and, as a result, codes for a shorter and altered polypeptide sequence.