Final answer:
The Na+/K+ ATPase is crucial for maintaining suitable ion gradients and the resting membrane potential in cells, especially nerve cells, by actively transporting Na+ out and K+ in using energy from ATP hydrolysis.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Na+/K+ ATPase is needed by a cell's membrane to maintain a steady state away from equilibrium because of its critical role in maintaining the electrochemical gradients of sodium and potassium ions across the plasma membrane.
The process requires energy because it moves sodium ions (Na+) out of the cell and potassium ions (K+) into the cell against their respective concentration gradients, that is, it moves ions from a region of lower concentration to a region of higher concentration.
This active transport mechanism contributes to the resting membrane potential and is vital for the excitable tissues like nerve cells, where it plays a major role in the generation and propagation of action potentials. Moreover, the pump helps to maintain osmotic balance and the structural integrity of the cell.