Final answer:
Ion gradients created by the Na+/K+ pump are crucial for maintaining an electrochemical gradient necessary for basic cellular functions, such as nerve impulse transmission, muscle contraction, and cellular volume control, by actively transporting sodium out and potassium in using ATP.
Step-by-step explanation:
The ion gradients established by the Na+/K+ pump are essential for several physiological processes. The pump actively transports sodium ions (Na+) out of the cell and potassium ions (K+) into the cell against concentration gradients. This mechanism maintains the electrochemical gradient across the cell membrane, which is critical for nerve impulse transmission, muscle contraction, and the regulation of cellular volume.
Sodium ions tend to enter the cell due to their higher concentration outside. To prevent cellular swelling and maintain electrical neutrality, the pump expends energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to move sodium ions out. Similarly, it pumps potassium ions from areas of low concentration outside the cell to higher concentrations inside. This movement against the gradient is important for the cell's resting potential, which is necessary for nerve cell function and secondary active transport processes that depend on the established ion gradients.