Final answer:
An electrolytic cell consumes electrical current to drive a nonspontaneous chemical reaction by using an external voltage.
Step-by-step explanation:
An electrolytic cell is an apparatus used for carrying out electrolysis, which is the process of using electrical energy to cause a nonspontaneous chemical reaction to occur. It consumes electrical current from an external source and is used for various applications such as electroplating and generating oxygen for spacecraft. Unlike a voltaic cell, where a spontaneous reaction generates an electric current, an electrolytic cell requires an external voltage to drive the nonspontaneous reaction.