Final answer:
Dr. Alfred G.K created the two-hit hypothesis in 1971, which is essential for understanding the genetic basis of cancer, specifically the role of tumor suppressor genes and their inactivation leading to tumor development.
Step-by-step explanation:
The two-hit hypothesis was put forward by Dr. Alfred G. K in 1971. This hypothesis is of great importance in the field of cancer research. It suggests that for a cell to form a tumor (specifically, for certain types of cancers), two genetic events ('hits') must occur to inactivate both alleles of a tumor suppressor gene. Dr. Alfred analyzed data on retinoblastoma, a rare form of eye cancer that occurs in children, to develop his theory. His hypothesis has been fundamental in the understanding of the genetic basis of cancer and has remarkably influenced how the development of cancer is studied and understood today.
The two-hit hypothesis is particularly significant in the context of hereditary cancers, where the first 'hit' is inherited and thus present in all cells, and the second 'hit' occurs somatically. This concept laid the groundwork for the discovery of tumor suppressor genes, which play a crucial role in regulating cell growth and preventing cancer.