T-cell receptors are heterodimers consisting of alpha and beta chains with variable and constant regions. The variable region binds to antigens presented by the major histocompatibility complex and contains complementary determining regions that provide specificity. While the TCR is responsible for antigen recognition, it does not signal within the cell itself. Signal transduction is carried out by the CD3 complex, which contains gamma, delta, epsilon, and zeta chains and lacks kinase activity.