Which germ layers give rise to epithelial tissue?

The correct answer is that the ectoderm and endoderm give rise to epithelial tissue.

Epithelial tissue is essential for forming protective barriers and lining internal cavities and organs in the body. The ectoderm is the outer germ layer and forms structures like the skin and nervous system, both of which contain epithelial tissues. The endoderm, the innermost layer, gives rise to the lining of the gastrointestinal tract and respiratory system, which are also made up of epithelial tissues.

While the mesoderm can contribute to certain types of epithelial cells in structures such as the kidneys and blood vessels, it does not directly give rise to all epithelial tissues. Therefore, the ectoderm and endoderm are primarily responsible for the development of epithelial tissues in the body, making this option the most accurate.

This context helps clarify why the other choices are not the correct answer, as they include combinations that do not reflect the primary sources of epithelial tissues.