What is this DNA stuff? If you've never heard of DNA, first read
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dna and maybe pick up a textbook
for the basics. The critical things you should understand before
trying to do this tutorial: - DNA is a chemical entity, but we
represent its sequence in the computer - DNA is made of 4
deoxyribonucleotides, A, T, C, and G (casually called bases) in
a specific sequence determined by covalent bonds - DNA molecules
have directionality; one end is the 5' terminus, the other end
is the 3' terminus - By convention, DNA sequences are always
written out in the 5' to 3' direction unless stated explicitly
with "5'-" and "3'-" Alternatively, DNAs can be represented in
cartoon form as a line with a barb at one end. The barb refers
to the 3' end. - DNA can be circular or linear - DNA can be
single stranded or double standed - The two molecules of a
double standed DNA bond to each other by Watson-Crick base
pairing - The sequence of the complementary strand of a double
standed DNA is the "reverse-