Final answer:
Carbonic anhydrase is the enzyme involved in the production of carbonic acid in parietal cells, which then dissociates into hydrogen ions and bicarbonate ions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The enzyme responsible for the production of carbonic acid within parietal cells is carbonic anhydrase (CA). Carbonic anhydrase catalyzes the reaction in which carbon dioxide and water combine to form carbonic acid, which then dissociates into hydrogen ions and bicarbonate ions.
This enzymatic process occurs in various locations within the body, such as in red blood cells for CO₂ transportation, in the stomach for hydrochloric acid production, and in the pancreas for buffering acidic chyme.