Final answer:
The vitreous humor is the gelatin-like substance that maintains the shape of the eye and is found behind the lens, filling the posterior cavity.
Step-by-step explanation:
The gelatin-like substance that gives shape to the eye and fills the space behind the lens is known as the vitreous humor. This substance is crucial for maintaining the shape of the eye and is located in the posterior cavity, which is the space that extends to the posterior side of the interior eyeball, where the retina is found. Contrastingly, the anterior cavity of the eye, which includes the space between the cornea and lens, is filled with the aqueous humor, a watery fluid.
The vitreous humor is important for the structure and function of the eye, as it not only helps the eyeball maintain its spherical shape but also plays a role in light transmission to the retina. The vitreous humor is clear, allowing light to pass through after it has been focused by the lens, and it fills the space between the lens and the retina.