Final answer:
The Na/K ATPase maintains a steady state, not equilibrium, by actively transporting Na+ out of and K+ into the cell, using ATP to maintain the necessary ion concentration gradients for cellular functions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Na/K ATPase, also known as the sodium-potassium pump, is crucial for maintaining the electrochemical gradient in animal cells by actively transporting sodium and potassium ions across the cell membrane. This pump moves three sodium ions (Na+) out of the cell and two potassium ions (K+) into the cell against their respective concentration gradients, which requires energy in the form of ATP. As it operates against the gradient, the sodium-potassium pump maintains a steady state rather than equilibrium, consistently working to keep the intra- and extracellular ion concentrations at the levels required for various cellular processes, including the generation of the resting membrane potential in nerve cells.