pokemon stats

i'm slightly embarrassed to ask but here goes.
can someone explain how a pokemon's stats work?

i know the basics and that, but i don't get
1.what base stats are?
2. how natures affect a pokemon's stats?


i tried seribi.net but it doesn't tell me much and seems confusing.

OK, base stats determine a Mons max possible stat. EG a base stat of 100 in HP means it's max possible stat for HP is 404. They aren't much use to learn, just taking account of a max stat is the same.

natures will increase and decrease 1 individual stat each by 10%. For example, an adamant nature will allow a 10% increase to Atk, allowing it to reach its max, whereas a 10% decrease to Sp.Atk, preventing it from reaching its max.