ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Non-coding RNA

RNA is a type of molecule that helps make proteins in the body. Proteins are very important because they do lots of different jobs in our bodies, like making our muscles work, helping us digest our food, and fighting off germs.

Sometimes, RNA molecules can do other jobs too, like turning on or off certain genes in our bodies. There are two types of RNA molecules: coding RNA and non-coding RNA.

Coding RNA is like a recipe that tells our cells how to make a certain protein. Non-coding RNA is like a helper that does other important jobs in our cells.

Non-coding RNA molecules can help control how our genes are used by turning them on or off at the right time. They can also signal to our cells when to grow or stop growing, and they can help protect our DNA from damage.

Scientists are still learning about non-coding RNA and how it works, but they think it could be important in understanding certain diseases, like cancer. By studying non-coding RNA, they might be able to find new ways to treat these diseases and keep our bodies healthy.