homologous chromosomes separate during meiosis 1 or 2; before meiosis begins, a diploid cell has two copies of each; when do sister chromatids separate from each other?; sister chromatids separate during which phase of meiosis anaphase 1 or 2; the phases of meiosis that cause the most variation in the four daughter cells are; during what stage of meiosis do sister chromatids separate from each other?; what are the two processes in meiosis that create genetic differences among cells?; during which phase of meiosis do diploid cells first become haploid?