The innate immune response is the body's first line of defense against infections. It is a rapid and non-specific reaction that occurs immediately when pathogens, like bacteria or viruses, invade. This response includes physical barriers, such as the skin, and immune cells, like macrophages and neutrophils, that quickly attack and destroy harmful invaders. Unlike the adaptive immune response, which takes longer to develop and targets specific pathogens, the innate immune response is always ready to act. It also involves the release of signaling molecules called cytokines, which help coordinate the immune response and alert other cells to the presence of danger.