gene family
nounUK /dʒiːn ˈfæmɪli/
US /dʒiːn ˈfæməli/
A group of genes that are alike and do similar jobs.
The globin gene family helps carry oxygen in the blood.
OTHER MEANINGS
2. A set of related genes that came from a common ancestor gene.
Scientists traced the gene family back to one ancient gene.
3. A category of genes studied together because they share a function.
Researchers compared members of the same gene family across species.
4. A collection of genes with similar sequences in a genome.
The genome contains several large gene families.