Kubernetes, a platform for managing scalable, containerized applications, employs horizontal and vertical pod autoscaling for application scaling. It also uses tools like Prometheus for monitoring, Velero for backup and restore, and Persistent Volumes (PV) and Persistent Volume Claims (PVC) for storage. Utilizing these features, alongside proper monitoring and backup, can significantly enhance application performance, reliability, and resilience. Understanding Kubernetes' concepts and components is crucial for effective usage and infrastructure management.