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The sodium-potassium pump moves sodium ions out of and potassium ions into the cell. This pump is powered by ATP. For each ATP that is broken down, 3 sodium ions move out and 2 potassium ions move in. Sodium ions bind to the pump and a phosphate group from ATP attaches to the pump, causing it to change its shape. The Na+ K+ -ATPase pump helps to maintain osmotic equilibrium and membrane potential in cells. The sodium and potassium move against the concentration gradients. The Na+ K+ -ATPase pump maintains the gradient of a higher concentration of sodium extracellularly and a higher level of potassium intracellularly.