Final answer:
Cells known as Antigen-Presenting Cells (APCs), which include macrophages, dendritic cells, and B cells, are responsible for capturing microbial antigens and presenting them to T cells to initiate an immune response.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cells that capture microbial antigens and present them for recognition by the immune system are known as Antigen-Presenting Cells (APCs). These specialized immune cells include macrophages, dendritic cells, and B cells.
Their main function is to process antigens and present them on their surface in conjunction with Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) molecules.
While all nucleated cells can present antigens in association with MHC class I molecules, it's the professional APCs that additionally present antigens with MHC class II molecules for the explicit purpose of activating T cells, thus they play a critical role in initiating the adaptive immune response.
These APCs also perform functions such as engulfing pathogens through phagocytosis and delivering them to lymph nodes where the immune response is further developed.