The article provides an overview of the RNA silencing pathways, focusing on the production and function of small RNAs such as small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs). It discusses the triggers that initiate these pathways, the mechanisms by which small RNAs are loaded into effector complexes like the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC), and the various modes of gene silencing they mediate. The authors highlight the role of proteins like Dicer and Argonaute in the process, and explore the differences and similarities between siRNA and miRNA pathways in plants, animals, and fungi. They also address the complexity of RNA silencing and the ongoing questions that remain, emphasizing the need to understand the biological significance of these pathways.The article provides an overview of the RNA silencing pathways, focusing on the production and function of small RNAs such as small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs). It discusses the triggers that initiate these pathways, the mechanisms by which small RNAs are loaded into effector complexes like the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC), and the various modes of gene silencing they mediate. The authors highlight the role of proteins like Dicer and Argonaute in the process, and explore the differences and similarities between siRNA and miRNA pathways in plants, animals, and fungi. They also address the complexity of RNA silencing and the ongoing questions that remain, emphasizing the need to understand the biological significance of these pathways.