Final answer:
Laminar flow is characterized by streamline flow where the fluid moves in smooth, parallel layers that do not mix, as opposed to turbulent flow, which has irregular and chaotic streamlines.
Step-by-step explanation:
The type of fluid flow characterized by streamline flow is known as Laminar flow. In laminar flow, the fluid moves in smooth, parallel layers that do not mix, with each layer sliding past adjacent layers with minimal disruption.
It can be visualized as smooth, continuous streamlines with the velocity being greatest at the center of the flow and decreasing towards the walls of the pipe due to viscous drag, also referred to as no-slip boundary conditions. This contrasts with turbulent flow, which exhibits irregular and chaotic streamlines due to the mixture of fluid layers, formation of eddies, and swirls, often caused by high speeds or obstructions in the fluid's path.