Final answer:
Cholesterol insertion into a liquid crystal membrane affects its fluidity and rigidity. It functions as a buffer, extending the temperature range in which the membrane is appropriately fluid. Cholesterol also controls the rigidity of the membrane by filling the space between phospholipids.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cholesterol insertion into a liquid crystal membrane affects its fluidity and rigidity. Cholesterol functions as a buffer, preventing low temperatures from inhibiting fluidity and high temperatures from increasing fluidity too much. It extends the temperature range in which the membrane is appropriately fluid. Additionally, cholesterol controls the rigidity of the membrane by filling the space between phospholipids. The more cholesterol in the membrane, the more rigid it becomes.=