Final answer:
A gene family consists of similar genes within a particular species, often arising from gene duplication and subsequent divergence, contributing to genetic diversity within the species.
Step-by-step explanation:
A gene family is a set of genes d) in a particular species that are similar to each other. This similarity is often the result of gene duplication followed by divergence over time due to mutations and evolutionary processes. Within a gene family, each gene retains a basic function, but may also develop specialized functions. For example, the human chromosome contains different gene sequences that code for blood type, such as sequence A, sequence B, and sequence O. Even though all diploid human cells have two copies of the gene that determines blood type, which sequences are present (AA, BB, OO, AB, AO, or BO) will determine a person's blood type, illustrating how gene variants contribute to genetic diversity within a species.