  A description of the Roper using the chiral chromodielectric model is
presented and the transverse $A_{1/2}$ and the scalar $S_{1/2}$ helicity
amplitudes for the electromagnetic Nucleon--Roper transition are obtained for
small and moderate $Q^2$. The sign of the amplitudes is correct but the model
predictions underestimate the data at the photon point. Our results do not
indicate a change of sign in any amplitudes up to $Q^2\sim1$ GeV$^2$. The
contribution of the scalar meson excitations to the Roper electroproduction is
taken into account but it turns out to be small in comparison with the quark
contribution. However, it is argued that mesonic excitations may play a more
prominent role in higher excited states.
