I am building a new web site and need some dynamic elements. I'm a total Newbie when it comes to databases so if your dynamically Savvy......please HELP!

Here's my dilema:
I need some drop-down menus, in which the content is dynamically loaded, Here's is an example of what I would need, extremely generalized:

1st drop down I have 3 categories:
Vegetables
Fruits
Breads

I select "Fruit" 2nd drop down would have to be dynamic changing to display "What kind of Fruit"
Apples
Oranges
Bananas

I select "Apples" 3rd drop down would dynamically display "What kind of Apples":
Red
Green
Yellow

Upon selecting, let's say: "Yellow" content appears giving you details about the "Yellow Apple" and provides a PDF with further description.

Of course this example is highly generalized, but it gives you an idea of what I'm looking for. I'm a complete novice to databases and this example would have to contain 100 or so items in the "3rd drop-down".

Can anybody steer me in the right direction? I would like to build this in Flash, but have no idea on how to proceed? What programming language should I use? Can anyone recommend any reading that would get me started? The only scripting I have done is JavaScripting, So this would be breaking new ground for me!!!

Thanks in advance,
Jason