Practice question

Innate immune receptors are germline-encoded and recognize conserved pathogen-associated molecular patterns rather than specific antigens. This limited repertoire allows rapid responses but lacks the exquisite specificity and memory of adaptive immunity. Pattern-recognition receptors include Toll-like receptors, NOD-like receptors, RIG-I-like receptors and C-type lectins that trigger inflammatory and antimicrobial programs within minutes to hours of infection.