Final answer:
The mutation is a point mutation known as a missense mutation, which can affect protein function by altering the amino acid sequence. Frameshift mutations caused by insertions or deletions severely impact the protein structure and function by changing the reading frame.
Step-by-step explanation:
The type of mutation illustrated is a point mutation, specifically, a missense mutation. In the original DNA strand, the sequence codes for a series of histidine amino acids. However, in the mutated DNA strand, there is a change that results in the introduction of a proline (Pro) in place of one histidine (His), changing the amino acid sequence. This single nucleotide change in the DNA leads to a change in the mRNA and ultimately the polypeptide. Such a change can affect the protein's function since different amino acids have different properties and may alter the protein's structure and functionality.
An insertion or deletion mutation, known as a frameshift mutation, can have even more severe effects as they change the reading frame of the entire gene downstream of the mutation. This could lead to a completely different amino acid sequence and often results in a nonfunctional protein due to premature stop codons or extended, nonsensical polypeptide chains.