What type of circulation is characterized by blood being contained within blood vessels and circulating in one direction?

Closed circulation is characterized by blood being contained within blood vessels and circulating in one direction. In this system, the blood does not leave the network of vessels as it moves throughout the body, allowing for more efficient transport of nutrients, gases, and waste products. This type of circulation is typical of higher organisms, such as mammals and birds, enabling them to maintain a higher metabolic rate and better control over blood flow.

In contrast, open circulation involves blood that is not confined to blood vessels; instead, it bathes organs directly in a cavity or hemocoel, often seen in some invertebrates like insects. Systemic circulation is a part of the closed circulatory system, specifically referring to the route blood takes to deliver oxygenated blood to the body and return deoxygenated blood to the heart. Pulmonary circulation, also part of the closed system, involves the movement of blood between the heart and lungs for oxygenation. While systemic and pulmonary circulation are important components of closed circulation, they do not separately define the concept of blood being contained and moving in one direction, which is the essence of closed circulation itself.