What is a gene family?
Q: What is a gene family?
A: A gene family is a set of similar genes that occur by the duplication of a single original gene.
Q: How do gene families usually differ?
A: Although gene families have similar biochemical functions, they typically differ slightly due to mutations over time.
Q: What is an example of a gene family in humans?
A: The genes for human haemoglobin subunits are an example of a gene family in humans.
Q: How did the α-globin and β-globin loci arise in humans?
A: The α-globin and β-globin loci in humans are thought to have arisen from a precursor gene being duplicated roughly 500 million years ago.
Q: What is the biggest gene family?
A: The biggest gene family is said to be the olfaction genes.
Q: What are some other important gene families?
A: The homeobox genes and genes for the immune system, including the major histocompatibility complex, immunoglobulins, and toll-like receptors are also important gene families.
Q: How old is the idea that genes get duplicated?
A: The idea that genes get duplicated is almost as old as the science of genetics itself.
