In meiosis II, what is the state of the cells at the beginning compared to the end?

At the beginning of meiosis II, the cells are indeed in a replicated state, having undergone DNA replication during meiosis I. By the end of meiosis II, these cells transition to an unreplicated state as the sister chromatids are separated and distributed into four distinct haploid cells.

Meiosis II is analogous to mitosis, where the focus is on separating sister chromatids. Because the process starts with cells that have chromosomes composed of two sister chromatids (replicated state) and ends with single chromatids (unreplicated state), the correct answer identifies this key transformation from replication to unreplication.

This process is crucial for sexual reproduction, as it ensures that gametes contain half the genetic material of the parent cell, ultimately leading to genetic diversity. Understanding this transition helps clarify the nature of genetic reduction and the role of meiosis in creating gametes.