I have always thought that if there is a tiny thing sticking out from my soaked seeds and nuts then it means that they are raw. But you are saying that even dead seed can have this tiny sprout?
Alina: Viability - the ability of a seed to sprout and grow - is affected by time, temperature, and humidity.
In terms of time preventing a seed from sprouting, you can have old,
raw seeds that are no longer viable.
In terms of temperature, viability can be reduced by too-hot or too-cold storage, but still not be above the "raw" temperature range.
When it comes to humidity, a seed can sprout from a little wetness but look unsprouted. When you go to sprout it, it won't grow, even though it was never heated.
The "tiny thing sticking out" of your sprouts may be a growing root, or it may be the effect of water to plump up the seed's radicula.
A good way to buy seeds for sprouting is from a company that tests for viability. The package will say something like "98% germination guaranteed." If you want to test a batch of seeds, just count out 100 seeds and sprout them; the number of seeds that germinate will give you the percentage germination rate.