Enhancers differ from promoters in that they are:

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Study for the UCF PCB3063 Genetics Final Exam. Prepare with flashcards and multiple-choice questions, each offering hints and explanations. Ace your exam with confidence!

Enhancers differ from promoters primarily in their positioning relative to the gene they regulate. While promoters are generally located immediately upstream of the coding sequence and serve as the starting point for transcription, enhancers can be found both upstream and downstream of the promoter. This ability to function at various locations relative to the transcription start site allows enhancers to influence transcription over long distances, often looping the DNA to establish proximity to the promoter region, thus facilitating the recruitment of transcription machinery.

Moreover, enhancers can enhance transcription from the promoter regardless of their location on the DNA molecule. This characteristic is significant because it emphasizes the flexibility of enhancer elements in the regulation of gene expression, contrasting with the more fixed position of promoters. Therefore, stating that enhancers can be found both upstream and downstream of the promoter accurately highlights one of the key differences that defines their function in gene regulation.