Final answer:
The innate characteristics of the immune system include responding more quickly upon secondary exposure to pathogens, having receptors encoded in the germline, and recognizing broad classes of pathogens.
Step-by-step explanation:
The characteristics that are considered innate in the context of the immune response are:
- Responds more quickly upon secondary exposure to pathogens: This is because the immune system has already encountered the pathogen before and can mount a faster and more effective response.
- Receptors are encoded in the germline: These receptors are present from birth and are responsible for recognizing broad classes of pathogens.
- Recognize broad classes of pathogens: The innate immune system has a limited number of receptors that can identify different types of pathogens and initiate a response.