Global fractional responses obtained by simulating experimental perturbations to the MAPK cascade. Four global response matrices (Rp⋅100, designated by superscripts a–d) were generated by applying the following 12 parameter perturbations. a or b, 10 or 50% decrease, respectively, in: [Ras-GTP], perturbation to module 1; the catalytic activities of steps 5 and 6 (k and k; see Table 1, which is published as supporting information on the PNAS web site), module 2; k and k, module 3. c or d, 10 or 50% decrease, respectively, in: [Ras-GTP], module 1; the maximal activities of steps 7 and 8 (V and V; see Table 1), module 2; V and V, module 3.