Hydrogen carbonate, or bicarbonate, is the anion

It is found in the environment in a variety of situations as a part of bicarbonate salts; sodium bicarbonate 

and potassium bicarbonate 

For example. It is sometimes used as an antacid, although theoretically the bicarbonates should play a role in many biological and environmental processes.

Physical Properties

Appearance: Sodium bicarbonate is a white, crystalline solid or powder.

Molecular Weight: About 84.01 g/mol for sodium bicarbonate.

Solubility: Sodium bicarbonate is highly soluble in water; about 96 g dissolves in a liter at room temperature.

Melting Point: Sodium bicarbonate decomposes roughly at 270 °C (518 °F), so there isn't a precise melting point.

Taste: Bicarbonate has a mildly alkaline taste, and because of this, it is used for cooking purposes extensively.

Chemical Properties

Acid-Base Behavior: Bicarbonate is amphoteric, a word coined to explain that this compound may act either as an acid or as a base. It can accept a proton to give carbonate (or may donate a proton to give carbonic acid 

As an acid: 

As a base:

Reactions with Acids: In reaction to acids, hydrogen carbonate emits carbon dioxide gas, the most important feature of this compound:

Applications

Cooking Applications: Sodium bicarbonate acts as a leavening agent. The substance is widely used while baking because it reacts with the acidic ingredients in the dough which leads to producing carbon dioxide, thereby causing dough to rise.

Antacid: It is used as an antacid that prevents heartburn and indigestion by neutralizing stomach acid:

Water Treatment: Bicarbonates are used in the treatment of water to maintain pH. This helps control the pH of water, making it safer for use.

Buffer Solutions: In biological systems, bicarbonates form important buffer systems that strive to maintain blood and cellular pH.

Cleaning Agent: Sodium bicarbonate is a mild abrasive and deodorizing agent in certain cleaning agents.

Conclusion

Hydrogen carbonate is in general sodium bicarbonate that is the quintessential versatile compound widely applied in cooking, medicine, and industry. The feature of forming acids and bases adds to its importance in gas evolution in chemical reactions. Of particular importance to this discussion is that hydrogen carbonate is an essential component of buffer systems crucially used in biological systems for pH balancing. The breadth of its applications in baking, an antacid, and as a household cleaner would speak to utility and practicality for the hydrogen carbonate ion. Safety in handling increases the possibility of improving its application.

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