What role does the folded structure of the inner mitochondrial membrane play?

The inner membrane consists of many folds called crista, which significantly increase the surface of the membrane and break the inner space of the mitochondria into compartments. Between themselves, cristae are connected by special jumpers of protein nature, which help maintain their shape. The same jumpers provide a link between the outer and inner membranes at the locations of the transporter of the outer mitochondrial membrane, which is responsible for the transport of proteins from the cytoplasm through the outer membrane.