Protein family

Okay, imagine there are lots of different toys in toyland. They all look different and have different jobs to do, just like different proteins in our bodies. But some of the toys have similar features and do similar things, like bouncy balls, frisbees, and hula hoops. These toys belong to the same toy family because they have something in common.

Similarly, proteins in our bodies that have similar shapes and functions are grouped together into protein families. These proteins share a common ancestor and have evolved to perform different jobs in different types of cells. For example, there's the "hemoglobin family" of proteins that carry oxygen in our blood, or the "histone family" that helps DNA to compact itself inside cells. By studying these protein families, scientists can learn more about how our cells work and develop new treatments for diseases.