Differential staining is an important technique used in microbiology to differentiate microorganisms based on the unique chemical and structural properties of their cell walls. Some synonyms for differential staining include selective staining, contrast staining, and discriminatory staining. Selective staining refers to the process of selectively staining certain types of cells or structures. Contrast staining emphasizes the differences in color between different types of cells or structures. Discriminatory staining is a more precise term that emphasizes the ability of a stain to highlight differences between closely related organisms or structures. These synonyms are all useful for describing the technique of differential staining and the varied purposes it serves.