Which of the following describes the configuration of a transcriptional enhancer?

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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!

The configuration of a transcriptional enhancer is best described by its ability to act over long distances from a promoter. Enhancers are distinct regulatory elements that can be found far upstream or downstream of the genes they regulate, and they can even be located within introns of other genes. This long-range activity is a vital characteristic because it allows enhancers to interact with the transcription machinery at the promoter, facilitating the recruitment of RNA polymerase and other factors necessary for transcription initiation, regardless of their physical distance from the promoter they regulate.

Additionally, enhancers can be oriented in various ways; they can function independently of their orientation relative to the coding sequence. This flexibility in distance and orientation is crucial for the complex regulation of gene expression, contributing to the precise and responsive nature of transcriptional regulation in eukaryotic cells.