Upon completion of this module, you should be able to identify the components of a galvanic cell, determine the electron flow of a galvanic cell, and describe how a galvanic cell works. Oxidation is the loss of electrons, and reduction is the gain of electrons. In a galvanic cell, a spontaneous oxidation-reduction reaction releases energy to perform electrical work. Galvanic cells are batteries or spontaneous electrochemical cells in which chemical energy is converted to electrical energy.