Final answer:
The statement regarding identical twins resulting from a single fertilized zygote that later splits is true. Identical twins arise from one zygote that splits during early development and can share a placenta if the split occurs during the blastocyst stage.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that identical twins result from a single fertilization to form a zygote, which then clones itself is TRUE. Monozygotic or identical twins happen when a single zygote, formed by the fertilization of one sperm and one egg, splits into two separate embryos during the early stages of development.
Typically, this split occurs during the early blastocyst stage, consisting of approximately 70-100 cells. If the zygote splits at the two-cell stage, the twins will have individual placentas; however, if the split occurs at the blastocyst stage, the twins will share a placenta and chorionic cavity.
This contrasts with fraternal or dizygotic twins, where two separate eggs are fertilized by two different sperm, resulting in siblings that are no more identical than siblings born at different times.