Glycoprotein molecules
known as pattern-recognition receptors are found on the surface of phagocytes.
They are so named because they recognize and bind to pathogen-associated molecular
patterns - components of common molecules such as peptidoglycan, teichoic
acids, lipopolysaccharide, mannans, and glucans - found in many microorganisms.
Capsules can cover up these surface molecules preventing their attachment
to the endocytic pattern-recognition sites on the phagocyte.
