Sort of .
The carbon source feeds bacteria , They also feed on nitrate and phosphate while they multiply ,
The binder binds phosphate so it can be removed via a skimmer
Then there are things like Rowaphos that absorbs the phosphate
I'm using Zeovit , So i fall under the carbon source and I love it :)
I used to use Rowaphos for a long time , Carbon dosing seems cheaper for me , It also seems to keeps my nitrate undetectable