Why Does Sodium Hydroxide Increase Histidine's Solubility in Water?

[fdvet91]

Homework Statement

Histidine is an amino acid. It is not soluble in water but it will dissolve in water when dilute sodium hydroxide is added.

The question has two parts to it:
part-a)
Write an equation for the reaction that occurs between histidine and dilute sodium hydroxide.
part-b)
Explain why the solubility of the water changes after the sodium hydroxide is added

Homework Equations

we are also given the structure of histidine as shown in the link
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/580/histidine1.gif/

The Attempt at a Solution

i have no clue with equation work. i managed to get... C6H9N3O2 + NaOH >
cannot figure out what the product(s) is/are going to be
part-b)attempt
the ph will increase once NaOH is added but i don't see how that has anything to do with solubility. any help would be appreciated, thanks.

 

[Borek]

How does an acid react with a base?

 

[fdvet91]

an acid will react with a base to give salt and water

acid + base = salt +water
not sure what you mean by that though

 

[Borek]

Histidine is an aminoacid, isn't it?