Final answer:
After meiosis I, each daughter cell has a haploid number of chromosomes, with each chromosome comprising two connected sister chromatids. Meiosis II will later separate these sister chromatids, resulting in four unique haploid cells.
Step-by-step explanation:
Before meiosis, chromosomes are replicated, forming pairs of sister chromatids. During the first division of meiosis, homologous chromosomes are separated, leading to two haploid cells. Each of these cells has only one set of chromosomes, meaning they are haploid. However, each chromosome still consists of two sister chromatids that are exact copies of each other, barring any genetic variations due to crossing over. The purpose of this division is to reduce the number of chromosome sets by half, preparing for the eventual creation of gametes. In the subsequent phase, meiosis II, these sister chromatids will be separated, generating four unique haploid cells, each with a single set of chromosomes without duplicated chromatids. This process ensures genetic diversity and is vital for sexual reproduction, leading to the formation of gametes such as sperm and egg cells in humans.