Final answer:
TCRs, or T-Cell Receptors, possess a single antigen-binding site and are always associated with the T cell membrane, whereas B-cell Receptors (BCRs) can bind directly to antigens and have two antigen-binding sites. TCRs interact with antigens that are presented on MHC molecules, while BCRs can recognize various molecular classes.
Step-by-step explanation:
T-Cell Receptors (TCRs)
TCRs, or T-Cell Receptors, are pivotal in the immune system for the recognition of specific antigens. Unlike antibodies, TCRs are never found as soluble antigen-binding molecules; they are always part of the T cell membrane. TCRs consist of two peptide chains (α and β chains) that span the cytoplasmic membrane of the T cell. Each TCR has a single antigen-binding site, and this specificity is due to the variable region of the receptor, which works akin to a key in a lock when it comes to recognizing antigens.
B cells, however, use B-cell Receptors (BCRs) which can bind directly to free antigens without the need for antigen presentation by MHC molecules. BCRs are membrane-bound monomeric forms of IgD and IgM and have two identical antigen-binding sites. TCRs can only interact with protein epitopes that are presented within the antigen-binding cleft of MHC I or MHC II, while BCRs can recognize a wider variety of molecular classes.
Therefore, the fundamental difference in antigen recognition between TCRs and BCRs lies in how they interact with antigens and the forms of antigens they can recognize.