Final answer:
Pulsating blood vessels use a mechanism called vasomotion, an irregular and rhythmic contraction of muscles that regulates blood flow through capillaries in response to changing levels of oxygen and other chemicals. The pulse in arteries and movement in veins also contribute to the overall circulatory movement.
Step-by-step explanation:
Pulsating blood vessels utilize vasomotion, or the movement of fluid through rhythmic muscle contractions. Vasomotion is an irregular, pulsating flow of blood, particularly through capillaries and related structures. This pattern is regulated by chemical signals that respond to changes in internal conditions like oxygen, carbon dioxide, hydrogen ion, and lactic acid levels. During activities such as exercise, when the levels of these compounds change, the capillaries adjust their openness to accommodate changes in blood flow needs.
The pulsating characteristic of blood flow is also evident in the arterial side of the circulation, where blood moves in surges with each heartbeat, an effect that can be observed as the pulse. When it comes to veins, the blood is primarily moved by the rhythmic contraction of smooth muscle in the vessel wall, assisted by skeletal muscles, especially during body movements. Vein blood vessels are responsible for conducting blood toward the heart and contain one-way valves to prevent blood from flowing backward, especially against gravity.