Gene family

A gene family is a group of genes within an organism's genome that share a similar sequence and often perform related functions. They arise through gene duplication events, where copies of a gene are made. Over time, these copies can evolve and diversify, leading to different but related functions. An example is the hemoglobin gene family, which includes genes that produce related proteins responsible for carrying oxygen in the blood. Gene families help organisms adapt by providing a variety of related genes that can take on specialized roles or respond to environmental changes.