Final answer:
Acetic acid is applied during colposcopy to enhance visualization, making dysplastic lesions stand out. Dysplastic lesions will appear as white areas when acetic acid is applied.
Step-by-step explanation:
Acetic acid is applied during colposcopy to enhance visualization. It is commonly used as a positive stain to make dysplastic lesions stand out against the background. Dysplastic lesions will appear as white areas, known as acetowhite areas, when acetic acid is applied.