What is the term for the process of giving color to histological sections using aqueous or alcoholic solutions?

The correct term for the process of adding color to histological sections using aqueous or alcoholic solutions is direct staining. This technique involves using specific dyes that directly adhere to cellular components, enhancing the visibility of structures under a microscope. Direct staining is crucial in histology as it helps differentiate between various tissue types and cellular structures by providing contrast that can be visually interpreted.

Counterstaining, while related, refers specifically to using a second stain to provide contrast with a primary stain. Negative staining is a technique often used to visualize certain cellular components, such as bacteria, where the background is stained instead of the specimen itself, often leaving the target structures visible against a colored background. Immunohistochemistry involves the use of antibodies to detect specific proteins within tissues, which is a more specialized application than general staining techniques.